Teenager's mock drive-by shooting (From Wiltshire Times)

Teenager's mock drive-by shooting

9:56am Saturday 24th March 2007 in Corsham By Wiltshire Times Reporter

A TEENAGER carried out a mock drive by shooting just a week after being released from prison.

Jamie Sharman-Palmer, 18, of Dicketts Road, Corsham, was in a friend's car when he pointed the fake pistol at a man who was walking to work.

But the car was being followed by a husband and wife who were both off duty police officers and they followed while contacting colleagues.

And when he was detained Sharman-Palmer said: "Don't do this to me mate, I have only just got out of prison. Don't do this to me."

Swindon Crown Court was told yesterday how 18-year-old Philip Moulton was walking to work at McDonald's in Chippenham at 11.30am on the morning of Thursday December 7 last year.

Colin Meeke, prosecuting, said: "He looked towards the car which was heading towards Corsham and saw the defendant leaning out pointing something at him.

"It was a gun. He assumed a BB gun as he didn't think a person would be able to get a real gun. He jumped as it is not everyday a gun is aimed at him."

Meanwhile Mr Meeke said two off duty police officers were driving behind the car and noticed the gun being pointed out of the window.

They saw the black pistol which had a brown handle being pointed out of the window and the barrel raised as if it had been fired.

However they had the radio on in their car so could not hear if it had been used and the pedestrian it was being aimed at did not react as if shot.

They followed the car to the West Wells area of Corsham while contacting on duty colleagues and moved in to speak to the two lads in the car when it stopped.

After they identified themselves Sharman-Palmer told the officers 'It's a toy' and reached into the car to get it.

"The constable knocked it out of his hand, restrained him and held him against the car. He replied Don't do this to me mate, I have only just got out of prison. Don't do this to me'."

When he was questioned he said that he had found the toy, which was a plastic replica, in the glove box of the car and agreed that someone at a distance would be frightened by it.

He said he and the driver thought what they were doing was a laugh and good fun, Mr Meeke said.

Sharman-Palmer admitted a charge of affray.

Adam Vaitilingam, defending, said his client had been released from the young offenders institute at Portland at the end of November and had a thoroughly miserable time there.

He said his client was immature and had benefited from the help he received on licence after his time in custody.

Passing sentence Recorder Ignatius Hughes said: "Waving imitation firearms out of the window is very frightening for him, I am sure you understand that now.

"You did it a week after you were released from Portland Young Offenders Institute and I don't accept you want to go back there. If you do things like this you probably will."

He imposed a two-year community order with an 8pm to 7am curfew for the first three months and ordered he must do the think first programme.