Jamie Bullock blasted shotgun at people in Teesside flat

Jamie Bullock fired the weapon above their heads to prove to them that it was a real firearm, Teesside Crown Court heard.

The 39-year-old was arrested shortly after reports were made to police about a loud bang coming from the flats in Middlesbrough.

Charlie Thompson, prosecuting, said when the defendant was searched the officers recovered a stripped-down shotgun and cartridge.

He said: “Police attended the flats and it was discovered that there were pellet holes in the ceiling,” he said.

“The weapon was forensically tested and the pellets in the cartridge found on him matched up to the pellets in the ceiling.”

Mr Thompson said the people from the flat reported to police that Bullock had fired the shotgun following an argument about his missing mobile phone.

He said: “He pointed the shotgun at the two people before firing it towards the wall in order to prove to them it was loaded and capable of being fired.

“They left the flat and hid for a while before attending the police station.”

The shotgun recovered from Jamie Bullock (Image: Cleveland Police)

He said Bullock was arrested when he returned to the flats while police were on the scene.

The court heard how the defendant was banned for life from possessing a firearm due to a previous conviction.

Bullock, of York Road, Middlesbrough, pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm with the intent to cause fear of violence and possession of ammunition for shotgun when prohibited for life following his arrest on February 15, 2024.

Tom Bennett, mitigating, said his client had spent almost two years on remand after he pleaded guilty to the offences on the day of trial.

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“The firearm was discharged,” he added. “It wasn’t discharged directly at them but it was discharged causing fear.”

Judge Peter Armstrong sentenced Bullock to six years in prison with a further three years on extended licence.

He said: “You produced a shortened shotgun and pointed it at their heads and to show you meant business you fired it above their heads into the ceiling.

“Fortunately, they weren’t physically injured but one can imagine that serious psychological affect this would have had on them.”