A MAN who pulled out a fake gun in Hereford police station and terrified a counter clerk has been jailed for six months.

Andrew Scott-James was already on bail for a domestic dispute but was unable to comply with a condition of residence, Worcester Crown Court heard.

He had been drinking and wanted to be arrested because he had nowhere to stay in Hereford, said Brett Stevenson, prosecuting.

He bought the replica pistol at a local toyshop and removed a red stopper at the end of the barrel to make it look more realistic.

After taking the gun from his jacket in front of John Smallwood and two members of the public, he calmly sat down and waited to be arrested.

The 39-year-old, of Newtown, South Wales, admitted affray.

The defendant first told the clerk on Friday, January 10, he was unable to get back to his Welsh address and would therefore be in breach of bail conditions, said Mr Stevenson.

But his request to be arrested was turned down and he was given directions to a Hereford hostel.

Scott-James left the police station and bought the cap gun. A woman motorist saw him sitting on a wall pointing the pistol and dialled 999.

He then returned to the police station and caused the scare.

Nicolas Cartwright, defending, said Scott-James, who had been drinking vodka before the offence, had behaved very stupidly.

Recorder David Hershman QC said that a number of people had been frightened by his peculiar actions.