A man pressed the barrel of a pistol against a woman’s head in an “ill-conceived prank” when she asked him for a lift home.
Ross Jackson, 25, a prisoner at Perth, had claimed the incident was a “practical joke” — but Dundee Sheriff Court heard his stunt left two women “terrified”.
Depute fiscal Vicki Bell told the court Rebecka Kean and Anna Moir had gone to Jackson’s address in the city’s Court Street, having been told there was a party there.
But when they turned up Jackson told them there was no party happening and he got into a friend’s car.
When Miss Kean approached the car to ask for a lift home, Jackson rolled down the window and pulled a black, long-barrelled handgun from the pocket of his jumper.
Ms Bell said: “He then put the barrel on to Miss Kean’s forehead. She could feel cold metal.
“The accused and the car’s driver began laughing.”
She said the accused then got angry and swore at Miss Kean and said “you better get her to **** off” and pointed the gun at Miss Moir, then back at Miss Kean.
“She was terrified and froze as it was pointed,” said the depute fiscal.
“She was crying and saying she couldn’t breathe and Miss Moir was physically sick as a result. They both believed it was a real handgun.”
Ms Bell said the men drove off and the women phoned police the next day.
Jackson pleaded guilty on indictment to a charge of assaulting the two women on June 10, in Court Street.
Solicitor advocate Jim Laverty said: “This was a prank which was misjudged, ill-conceived and he now appreciates caused significant fear and alarm.
“He concedes that what he saw as a prank and a joke wasn’t taken that way and must have been a frightening experience for the two individuals concerned.”
Sheriff Alastair Carmichael deferred sentence until November 30 for social work background reports and remanded Jackson in custody meantime.
He said: “Having looked at your record and seen the nature of this offence, it’s highly likely you may end up with a custodial sentence.
“I’ve decided in view of all that you will be remanded in custody meantime.”
This article originally appeared on the Evening Telegraph website. For more information, read about our new combined website.