Man admits brandishing imitation gun outside East End nursery

A man who brandished a gun outside a children's nursery is facing jail.

William Haldane committed the crime outside the building in Glasgow's east end on May 4, 2021.

The 21-year-old pointed the imitation handgun in the air as he walked past the front windows.

He revealed it after getting into an argument with his sister who was collecting her two young children.

When Haldane was later arrested, he told police officers: "It's not real, so what if it's a nursery."

The first offender pled guilty today at Glasgow Sheriff Court to having in imitation firearm without lawful authority or reasonable excuse.

He also admitted behaving in a threatening or abusive manner.

The court heard Haldane's sister Rachael attended the nursery to collect her children at 4.30pm.

Haldane appeared and approached the pair which started an argument.

Prosecutor Lauren Donnelly said: "He threw a lighter to the ground, causing it to smash.

"He began to walk away and pulled an imitation handgun out his pocket and held it in his right hand, pointing it in the air.

"He continued to walk past the front windows of the nursery and thereafter put the gun back in the right side of his trousers before leaving the area.

"Rachael and an onlooker were alarmed and frightened and unsure whether or not the gun was real or fake."

The depute head heard a commotion at the front entrance and heard Rachael state: "So, you think you're the f***ing big man" in a "terrified and upset manner."

Police attended and were later able to trace Haldane.

He told officers: "I found it at a Co-Op.

"I was gonna take it to London Road but I went to the nursery and had an argument with my sister as my uncle got a house down here and I don't like him.

"It's a BB gun but I don't have any bullets for it.

"It's not real, so what if it's a nursery."

Officers also found the gun disposed underneath a rubbish bag nearby.

Sentence was deferred until next month pending background reports by sheriff John McCormick.

He said: "I take into account you have no previous convictions, your age and relative immaturity.

"I will continue your bail but due to the gravity of the offence and the location of it, custody must be in mind for the next occasion."

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