Man jailed after pointing fake gun at family on A1

A man has been jailed after he pointed a fake gun at a young family in a road rage incident on the A1.

Craig Mafhan, 38, was travelling down the Western Bypass in his black Honda Civic on Sunday, September 25, when he was overtaken by a 42-year-old man at Teams Valley.

Mafhan took exception to the manoeuvre and so pulled up alongside the man in the inside lane.

He then proceeded to point a handgun at the fellow motorist - who had his two young children, aged six and two, as passengers in the back seat.

Mafhan proceeded on his way down the motorway after the father slowed down. He later reported the incident when he returned to his home in Gateshead.

At no point was the firearm, later discovered to be an air pistol, fired during the incident and nobody was injured as a result of his actions.

However, police have condemned his actions and said the threatening behaviour could have caused his victim to take evasive action and swerve off the busy motorway.

Now Mafhan, of Matfen Place, Gosforth, has been jailed for 27 months at Newcastle Crown Court after pleading guilty to possession of an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear.

Detective Constable Simon King, of Northumbria Police's Central CID, said: "This was a shocking incident that took place in broad daylight on a busy motorway.

"It must have been a terrifying experience for the victim in this case and could have been very traumatic for the two young children who were in the car at the time of the incident.

"Mafhan had no idea how the victim would react when he pointed this weapon at him and it could have very easily have led the father to take evasive action.

"There is no place for this type of behaviour in our region, never mind on our roads, and we are glad to see that a judge saw it fit to hand down a custodial sentence in this case."

This incident took place on the A1 near to the junction for the Team Valley at around 4.45pm on Sunday, September 25. Mafhan was jailed on Friday, March 24.

If you suspect anyone of possessing a firearm without a licence, including an imitation firearm or air pistol, then contact police on 101