A man who caused ‘immense fear’ after pointing a gas lighter that looked like a gun at members of the public in Stoke Poges has been jailed for two years.

On June 14, 48-year-old William Northway, of Bells Hill Green, was spotted by a man, who had just returned to his car after buying a newspaper at Co-Op in Bells Hill, walking down the middle of the road towards him with what looked like a gun.

In close range of the man’s car, Northway then raised the weapon and pointed it at the man’s face.

Convinced that he was going to be injured, the 49-year-old man drove away and reported the incident to police.

Moments later, Northway went into the Co-Op and pointed the fake gun at a staff member before walking around the shop picking up items, still holding the weapon in view of other shoppers.

He paid for the shopping and left, pointing the ‘gun’ at a 41-year-old man who was about to go into the shop.

Panicked members of the public called police and specialist firearm officers were deployed.

Northway was found at his home address by police, who seized the imitation gun from his kitchen counter, and was arrested and charged the same day.

Northway was sentenced at Aylesbury Crown Court on September 29 after pleading guilty to being in possession of an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence at an earlier court hearing.

Det Con Christopher Birtles, investigating officer from Chiltern and South Bucks local CID, said: “Northway caused immense fear amongst law-abiding citizens who were going about their usual day to day business.

“At the time, those threatened with the imitation firearm were unaware that it was a hand held gas lighter as it had the overlook of a real and viable firearm.

“Although there was no physical contact between Northway and those he had pointed his imitation firearm towards, it was undoubtedly a frightening experience.”