Kebab shop customer, 57, who threatened staff with an imitation gun when they asked him to wear a face mask is jailed for 20 months
- Paul Griffiths, 57, brandished the CO2 powered paintball-type gun at staff
- He entered Rhondda Takeaway in Ystrad, South Wales, on November 5 last year
- Griffiths, of Ystrad, pleaded guilty to possessing imitation firearm in public place
- Also pleaded guilty to possessing a prohibited weapon and cannabis production
A furious kebab shop customer who threatened staff with an imitation gun after he was asked to wear a face mask has been jailed.
Paul Griffiths, 57, brandished the CO2 powered paintball-type gun at staff inside the Rhondda Takeaway in Ystrad, South Wales, after he was asked to wait outside by staff at the fast-food restaurant at around 10.15pm on November 5 last year.
Footage showed the mask-less customer drawing the imitation weapon from his pocket and pointing it at staff in the store before being arrested by South Wales Police.
Following his arrest, police carried out a search of his home and found a cannabis factory.
Griffiths, of Ystrad, pleaded guilty to possessing an imitation firearm in a public place with intent to cause fear of violence, possessing a prohibited weapon and cannabis production. He was jailed for 20 months.
Paul Griffiths, 57, of Ystrad, pleaded guilty to possessing an imitation firearm in a public place with intent to cause fear of violence, possessing a prohibited weapon, and cannabis production
The furious customer pointed the CO2 powered paintball-type gun at staff inside the Rhondda Takeaway in Ystrad, South Wales
He brandished the imitation weapon at staff inside the fast-food restaurant after he was asked to wear a mask
Magistrates in Merthyr Tydfil heard a customer and delivery driver dived behind the counter in fear they would be shot during the incident.
The driver then managed to run out of the back of the shop and call 999.
In the emergency call, he was heard saying: ‘We’ve got a guy pulled a gun out on us in the Rhondda takeaway in Ystrad.
‘This old gentleman. The shop owner’s with him out there.’
Police body-cam footage also showed armed officers arriving to the scene and ordering Griffiths to walk backwards slowly out of the shop with his hands in the air.
While being handcuffed, police were heard telling Griffiths they were responding to reports he had a weapon on him, to which he replied: ‘No, I’ve got a paintball gun on me.’
A police spokesman said: ‘A customer and a delivery driver dived behind the counter, fearing they were going to be shot.
‘The delivery driver then ran to the living quarters and told people to lock the door, before running out of the back of the shop and calling 999.’
Griffiths got into an argument with staff at the restaurant after he was asked to wait outside
The customer entered the Rhondda Takeaway in Ystrad, South Wales, at around 10.15pm on November 5 last year
Police body-cam footage showed armed officers ordering Griffiths to walk backwards slowly out of the shop with his arms in the air
After the sentencing, Detective Constable Lucy Robins, of South Wales Police, said: ‘Griffiths’ actions that night were plain stupid and reckless.
‘The people inside the shop that night genuinely feared for their lives.
‘I would like to praise the actions of the owner who acted calmly and put the safety of others first by trying to keep the man inside the shop.
‘The delivery raised the alarm quickly which ensured our armed officers were on the scene in minutes while he was still at the scene.’