A TEENAGER who poked an imitation rifle out of a car window as it was driven on a road full of people has been spared jail.

Lewis Jack Lunt was caught on CCTV sticking part of a BB gun out of a car window in Hammerton Street, Burnley, at 4.45am on June 4, last year. A BB gun is a type of air gun designed to shoot metallic ball projectiles.

Burnley Crown Court heard how unemployed Lunt, 19, was driven down the street, which was busy with clubbers, and brandished the muzzle through the window.

Footage played in court showed a man walk up to the car and grab the rifle from Lunt, then drop it onto the ground. It showed the car leave the scene, return and leave again. Lunt, who had stepped out of the car, walked after it. He was chased by witness Ryan Croft and stopped on a nearby car park.

Prosecuting, Charles Brown said the defendant told Mr Croft he was worried because he had been drinking and had taken cocaine. The gun was found nearby by nightclub doormen.

Charles Brown, prosecuting, said: “The gun, when examined, was found to be the weapon we see in court. It had a round, well, a pellet, in the chamber, which was made safe by police when they recovered it.

“The defendant was interviewed, made no comment to all relevant questions, he made a no comment to what had gone on at 4.45am.

“An identity parade identified him as the passenger. He was 17 years old at the time.”

Lunt pleaded guilty on the day he was due to stand trial to possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear.

Mark Stewart, defending, said: “It is stupidity of the greatest order. The reaction of people nearby was to completely ignore it. “The man who approached the car who thought it was real and pulled it out, he dropped it and walked off as seen on cctv.

“The doormen from the club walk up and don’t give it a great deal of attention.“The position is that he is not someone who was premeditated with the intention of causing violence. He undoubtedly had too much to drink.”

Lunt, of Owen Street, Burnley, was given a nine month custodial sentence, suspended for 18 months, and ordered to complete a rehabilitation activity requirement. He was also given a four-month curfew, meaning he must not leave his home between 8pm and 6am.

Judge Dodd said: “It was a realistic firearm. Despite there being many people, only one person saw you. He took the item from you, you did not attempt to restrain him and you did not discharge that firearm.

“I don’t know what on earth you were doing. Were you meant to think you were big or brave? I can imagine you don’t feel any of this right now.”