Bereaved drug user (54) threatened to shoot man

A bereaved drug user who went for treatment, claimed he had a gun and threatened to shoot a man dead, was later found with a knife in a Nelson chemist's shop, a court was told.
Burnley Magistrates Court.Burnley Magistrates Court.
Burnley Magistrates Court.

Drunk Gustav Lazlo Gugi (54) whose partner of 12 years had recently died, was concerned over circumstances relating to her death, particularly in regard to the man, said her solicitor.

Burnley magistrates heard how Gugi, who was agitated and upset, had been on a “bender” for several days before he went to visit Inspire – the drug and alcohol treatment service.

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He told a recovery worker there he was going to shoot the man, saying: “I’m going to kill him with this gun I have got.”

The hearing was told police were called and checked the route the defendant had taken, looking for a discarded replica weapon, but found nothing.

Gugi, who has had mental health issues in the past, was detained in Nelson Pharmacy, where his bag was searched and found to contain sausage and bacon.

The kitchen knife was in a pocket under four jackets he had on.

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Gugi, of Edgar Street, Nelson, admitted possessing a knife blade on January 7th.

He was given a 35-day rehabilitation activity requirement and was fined £10. The defendant must pay £85 costs and a £60 victim surcharge.

Prosecutor Mrs Alex Mann said Gugi did not produce, brandish or make threats with the knife, and had no previous convictions for possession of knives or weapons or violence. She told the court: “He’s not really a trouble maker.”

The recovery worker told police the defendant seemed angry and disturbed, was talking about his late partner and getting upset and then made the threat. No weapon was pulled out. Gugi was searched by officers in the chemist’s.

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Mrs Mann added: “At no point did he show any aggression towards the police.”

Mark Williams (defending) said he was clearly distressed and upset about the death of his partner. An inquest was yet to be held.

The solicitor said: “He had been on something of a bender for a few days and what took place over these few days is somewhat blurred to him.

“At some point on his travels, he came into possession of the knife. It’s the sort of knife that would be used for peeling potatoes.”

Mr Williams added: “It was not a situation where the knife was used to threaten or cause fear and it was not in dangerous circumstances.”