Man brandished 'gun' made of paper bag at police

Matthew Sylvester was jailed for 19 months

A man has been jailed after using an imitation firearm made out of a brown paper bag to intimidate police in Telford.

Matthew Sylvester, 37, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to two counts of assaulting an emergency worker, possession of an imitation firearm to cause distress, possession of class A drugs and attempted burglary in July.

On Friday, at Shrewsbury Crown Court, he was sentenced to 19 months in prison.

The incident happened on 22 February, when West Mercia Police officers were called to reports of a man using a trolley to try and break into a shop in Telford town centre.

Upon their arrival, Sylvester used a jumper to cover his face and forged the gun by folding the brown paper bag.

He charged at the officers in the patrol car brandishing the "gun".

The car, while trying to move away from him, got stuck behind car park barriers, which was when Sylvester threatened one of the officers through its window and kicked the vehicle.

The officers called for back up as it was dark and they believed he had a real gun.

Sylvester opened the car's boot and threatened the officers again when they got out of the car, and a chase ensued.

He was tackled and arrested.

"Sylvester's actions were calculated, going to great lengths to ensure officers were called to the scene, including threatening members of the public and trying to break into a shop," said Ch Insp Matt Sanders.

"He covered his face with a jumper to ensure he wasn't recognised by officers, before manipulating an object to look like a small firearm so he could threaten whoever was responding.

"The bravery and professionalism shown by both police constables that evening was nothing short of extraordinary."