Man high on drugs held gun to friend's head (From Worcester News)

Man high on drugs held gun to friend's head

4:00pm Friday 3rd July 2009

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A 24-year-old Worcester man was high on cannabis when he terrified a former schoolfriend by holding a pistol to his head and trying to strangle him, a court heard.

It was a bizarre case and an object lesson on the effect that cannabis can have on a person, said Judge Robert Juckes QC when he jailed Symon(cor) Hawkes for 18 months.

Hawkes, of Barbourne Road, had pleaded guilty(admit) to having an imitation firearm intending to cause fear of violence, possession of cannabis and assault causing actual bodily harm.

He had met up on February 28 with 24-year-old Stuart Avey. They had been at school together but had lost touch, said Alex Warren, prosecuting, and they decided to go drinking together at Tramps nightclub.

On returning to Hawkes's bedsit at 3am, Mr Avey settled down in a sleeping bag on the floor but was disturbed after 20 minutes by his wide-eyed host, who demanded his car keys and mobile phone.

Hawkes said he wanted to get out of Worcester and held an air pistol to Mr Avey's head. He told him: "I can dump you in a field. Your life is hanging in the balance."

As the pair left the flat, there was a fight and Hawkes grabbed Mr Avey round the throat, making it difficult for him to breathe. He broke free and went to a neighbouring flat for shelter.

Hawkes tried unsuccessfully to get into Mr Avey's car and at 6am rang the police to say: "I have almost killed my best friend. I almost strangled him." He waited until police arrived.

His behaviour had been bizarre and outlandish, said Joe Kieran, defending, and it was almost as though he had been suffering from a brainstorm. He had been abusing himself with cannabis for three years and could have had a poor quality drug after a night of drinking. He was also on medication.

Hawkes had 32 previous convictions for dishonesty and motoring but had no offences of violence. After giving himself up to police, he had made a frank confession and had undertaken a drug treatment programme whilst on remand in prison.

Mr Kieran submitted a letter from Hawkes's girlfriend and mother of their young son. Judge Juckes said it was a moving document which showed how Hawkes had initially taken responsibility for the child until he became increasingly hooked on cannabis. Eventually, she insisted he left their home.

The judge said that although Mr Avey suffered only a cut on the chin and bruising, the terrifying experience would probably stay with him for ever.

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