A MAN arrested after armed police rounded on a town centre pub earlier this month has admitted being in possession of an imitation firearm during the incident.

Daniel Gray was arrested, charged and remanded in custody after a daytime confrontation, said to have taken place both inside and outside the Bridge hotel in Chester-le-Street, on Friday March 6.

Durham Crown Court heard today that the ‘firearm’ in question was a gas-type BB hand gun, which Gray was said to have brandished in or near to the Bridge End premises.

Members of the public in the nearby market area reported seeing a man waving a gun during an apparent struggle in the street outside the pub, at about 2.50pm.

It was initially reported two people from the pub seemed to have been fighting over a bottle of cider, but it has since emerged the second man was trying to restrain Gray.

When police arrived Gray was said to have run back into the pub and out of another door, before he was struck with a baton round by pursuing police.

He threw what was discovered to be the imitation weapon into a nearby car park, from where it was recovered by police.

Gray was arrested on suspicion of possessing the imitation firearm, while a second man, also in his early 20s, was detained on suspicion of causing an affray.

Appearing in a preliminary hearing in the case, via video link from nearby Durham Prison, 24-year-old Gray, of Northlands, Chester-le-Street, admitted possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause a fear of violence.

His counsel, Tony Davis, said his admission was on the full facts as outlined in the prosecution file to the court.

“It’s effectively taking a BB gun into a public house and waving it around.

“He has an extensive record of offending.”

Mr Davis said there was unlikely to be any dispute that when police arrived at the scene, his client was reported to have told them: “You’re entering a very dark place.”

Mr Davis added: “The reality is that it was the result of drink-fuelled behaviour rather than any psychiatric issue.”

He asked for case to be adjourned to allow for preparation of background reports on Gray, by the Probation Service, prior to sentence.

Agreeing, Judge Christopher Prince said: “I’ll adjourn for the pre-sentence report, but in doing so, that should be taken as no indication as to the sentence you will receive.”

Gray was remanded to remain in custody until the sentencing hearing, Friday April 17.