Caerphilly Observer
Member Sign in Manage Membership
Become a Member - no ads
Menu
  • News
    • Senedd
    • Business
    • Newport
    • Opinion
  • Sport
    • Rugby union
    • Football
  • Membership & Subscriptions
  • Notices
  • Obituaries
  • About
    • Advertise
  • Sponsored Content
Menu

Newbridge man jailed after he threatened people with a BB gun in Blackwood pub

News | | Published: 13:39, Friday February 26th, 2016.
Last updated: 13:56, Friday February 26th, 2016

Leighton Frayne, 33, of Newbridge, has been jailed for 15 months
Leighton Frayne, 33, of Newbridge, has been jailed for 15 months

A Newbridge man has been jailed for 15 months after he smuggled a BB gun into a Blackwood pub and then threatened drinkers with the weapon.

At around 10pm on Friday, October 23, last year, 33-year-old Leighton Frayne went to the Flour Mill Public House, in High Street, Blackwood. In his jacket pocket was a fully-loaded gas-powered ball bearing gun.

Following a verbal argument in the VIP area of the pub, Frayne drew the weapon and pointed it at fellow drinkers, threatening them.

He then left the Flour Mill and went to the nearby Porters pub, where following police reports, a door supervisor searched him and seized the weapon. He was later arrested, charged and remanded into custody.

The gas powered pistol carried by Frayne was tested and was legally defined as a “firearm”.

Frayne was sentenced to 15 months in prison at Cardiff Crown Court on February 12.

DC Cooper, of Gwent Police, said: ” I would like to thank the door staff at the Porters for their prompt action to seize the weapon.

“Firearm offences of any kind are taken very seriously by police and the Courts. Any threatening or intimidating behaviour in possession of a firearm will be dealt with robustly, and offenders will most likely receive a custodial sentence.”

6 thoughts on “Newbridge man jailed after he threatened people with a BB gun in Blackwood pub”

  1. Cllr Richard Williams says:
    Friday, February 26, 2016 at 16:12

    If he was carrying a gas gun then this is not a firearm. Firearms are weapons that use a chemical propellant to shoot a projectile and in Britain require a license to purchase; BB guns do not. Check any dictionary for a definition of ‘firearm.’

    The convicted man acted in a foolish manner and no doubt caused alarm but his ‘weapon’ could not have harmed anyone. A catapult, walking stick or glass bottle would have been a far deadlier weapon.

    Log in to Reply
    1. Pete says:
      Saturday, February 27, 2016 at 00:10

      Technically you are correct. I also have an air weapon and I use it with caution. The reporting of a firearm was incendiary (chortle) but this idiot deserved what he got? The clue is in the name really “FIREarm”. No explosion, no fire just a release of gas to force a projectile.

      Log in to Reply
      1. Cllr Richard Williams says:
        Saturday, February 27, 2016 at 01:19

        Correct, and not a leathal weapon. Any reasonably competent barrister would fancy his or her chances of an appeal.

        Log in to Reply
    2. Mr Oracle says:
      Saturday, February 27, 2016 at 15:19

      Correct on the definition, but wrong on the law. The law prevents real imitation firearms without a licence. If this BB gun was painted bright pink or was clear, it would be legal. If it was painted black to look like a real gun it is illegal to own and carry without a licence stating you use it for the right purpose (e.g. airsoft).

      Log in to Reply
      1. Cllr Richard Williams says:
        Saturday, February 27, 2016 at 17:52

        Actually imitation firearms in the form of gas guns are freely available, I have just looked up some online sites. The ones that come under the firearms laws are ‘self contained’ which means that the projectile and gas are together as a piece. When a gas cylinder, usually carbon dioxide, is used to propel a separate BB or lead pellet these laws do not apply.

        Log in to Reply
        1. Mr Oracle says:
          Sunday, February 28, 2016 at 15:01

          It does not just extend to gas powered weapons. the restrictions extend to the small, non-lethal, spring-powered BB guns kids used to be able to freely buy in shops. If it looks real, it is illegal to possess.

          Granted, they are easy to buy. Internet shops freely sell them because it is not illegal to sell them. It is only illegal to use them without the right paperwork, or good reason (e.g. film studios).

          Log in to Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Latest News

  • Caerphilly’s Senedd by-election candidates face off in feisty BBC Wales TV debateWednesday, October 15, 2025
  • Labour MS David Rees
    Steelworkers face ‘catastrophic’ Christmas pay cutsWednesday, October 15, 2025
  • Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer responding to Liz Saville-Roberts' question
    PM quizzed in Commons over why he’s yet to visit Caerphilly ahead of by-electionWednesday, October 15, 2025
  • Bedwas Workmen's Hall is celebrating its centenary year in 2023
    Caerphilly Senedd by-election candidates in BBC Wales television debateWednesday, October 15, 2025
  • Jessica Mason at an event in the Senedd over the summer
    Cancer survivor criticises ‘slow progress’ on care reformsWednesday, October 15, 2025
  • Education
    Welsh Government ‘asleep at wheel’ on ‘flawed’ ALN reformsWednesday, October 15, 2025

Find out how the communities of Caerphilly County Borough get their names

Caerphilly

Legal & Public Notices

  • Caerphilly County Borough Council public noticesThursday, October 2, 2025
  • Notice of application for a premises licence: Hanbury Road, BargoedThursday, September 25, 2025
  • Notice of application for a variation of a premises licence: Pontygwindy Industrial EstateThursday, September 18, 2025
  • Caerphilly County Borough Council public noticesThursday, September 18, 2025
© 2009-2024 Caerphilly Media Ltd, Caerphilly Miners Centre for the Community Watford Road Caerphilly, CF83 1BJ. Incorporated in Wales No. 07604006.