A TEENAGER has admitted causing panic at a Swindon park while in possession of a replica handgun.

The 17-year-old from West Swindon, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was showing his gun off to a friend in a children's playground at Lydiard Park at 3.30pm on April 25 when he was caught on camera by a father who had gone there with his two children, a court heard.

The pictures were then published on the front page of the Evening Advertiser before the police then launched a manhunt using an armed response unit.

The youth was charged with possessing an offensive weapon in a public place, causing fear and provocation to the public.

Nadeem Aullybocus, prosecuting at Swindon Magistrates Court, said: "The father heard a noise a number of times that sounded like an airgun.

"The noise was coming from a children's play area, so he went a bit closer to investigate. He saw two teenage boys in a wendy house and one of them was holding what he could only describe as a black handgun. The pictures he took subsequently appeared on the front of the Evening Advertiser.

"Because of the seriousness of the offence and the fear caused to the public, the police, using an armed response unit, raided one property, where they picked up the wrong suspect, before going to this teenager's address.

"Upon searching the property they found a dismantled BB gun. The youth then reported to the police station later that evening where he admitted that he owned another replica handgun a gas-powered Beretta 92 SS.

"When he was interviewed he said that he had no pellets and that he was only firing it into the ground."

Mr Aullybocus said that the youth accepted that the weapon did look real and could understand how it would cause fear to the public.

Tony Nowogrodski, defending, said: "He bought the gun from a local shop, paying £134 for it. It was a gun that fired gas pellets. It was initially bought to play with in the garden. He stupidly took it to the park to show a friend. He accepts that the firing sound was distressing for people.

"When it came out in the paper, it caused him and his family a lot of shame and humiliation.

"After his arrest, he immediately admitted his role in this incident. He is someone who has caused a great deal of shame and has never appeared before the court before. This was just a stupid mistake and will never happen again."

Sentencing him Margaret Penfound, said: "The incident happened in a public place. If you had been an adult this could have led to a term of imprisonment, but as you are a youth, we will deal with this by giving you a three month referral order meaning that you will have to meet with the youth offending team and carry out their instructions to the full."

He was ordered to pay £35 costs and a forfeiture and destruction order was made on two of the weapons.

Jamie Hill