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Incredible moment homeowner pulls on balaclava and fires stun gun at terrified youngsters out ‘trick or treating’ on Halloween
The masked man was said to have “frightened the living daylights” out of the children who fled in terror
A PRANKSTER who opened his door to youngsters out 'trick or treating' on Halloween wearing a balaclava and brandishing a stun gun has ended up in court.
The shocking moment masked Faisal Hussain opened his door holding the illegal weapon was captured on film by the man himself.
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Incredible footage showed Hussain, 26, pulling on a balaclava, going to his door and pointing the weapon towards the terrified children.
Homeowner Hussain was said to have “frightened the living daylights” out of the youngsters who fled in terror.
A court heard Hussain had made the film and put it on his Facebook page and the police were made aware of the clip after receiving an anonymous call.
Bradford Crown Court was shown the video in which he declared the trick or treaters had “come to the wrong house,” before running to the door with the stun gun and activating it.
Judge Peter Hunt was told that the children were not hurt and Hussain had not intended to harm them.
But he added that Hussain had “frightened the living daylights out of them.”
Prosecutor Kirsten Mercer said the stun gun, which also doubled as a torch, made a noise and an electric current could be seen.
Cops visited his home and confirmed the stun gun was a prohibited weapon.
Hussain told officers a friend had brought the stun gun back from a holiday in Turkey.
He said they had “tasered” each other with it and that he was playing a prank on the children and did not realise the seriousness of the situation.
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When the children knocked on the door, he told them to wait, put on the balaclava and ran out with the taser.
He said it made a scary buzzing noise and filming it was part of the prank.
Hussain, of Bradford, West Yorks, pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence and possessing a prohibited weapon, on October 31 last year.
The court heard the stun gun was not capable of causing serious injury – but could give a small electric shock and could cause pain.
Jeremy Hill-Baker, in defence, said Hussain was very sorry for his behaviour but did not intend to cause injury and there was no contact with the children.
He added: “It was foolhardy and frightening behaviour by a man who ought to have known better, in the peculiar circumstances of Halloween.”
Mr Hill-Baker said it was likely the incident would not have come to light if his client had not put it on Facebook.
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Judge Hunt said it was an “act of supreme folly.”
He said he was not entirely satisfied Hussain’s motive was merely a prank - but he did not point the stun gun at the children and did not intend to cause them physical harm.
Hussain was sentenced to a 12-month community order and ordered to carry out 180 hours of unpaid community work.
Judge Hunt ordered the forfeiture and destruction of the weapon.
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