SCHOOL SAGA
Chilling moment masked ‘gunman’ stalks primary school sparking mass shooting fears – with teachers & kids in lockdown
Armed officers rushed to the scene after a number of emergency calls
CHILLING footage shows the moment a masked "gunman" sparked fears of a mass shooting as he walked towards a primary school.
Ryan Brick, 30, was captured on dashcam wearing a black face covering and carrying two imitation firearms while walking his dog in North Wales.
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A motorist was driving through Connah's Quay when the disturbing "armed" figure of Brick came into view.
Brick was walking his dog along York Road during the terrifying incident, which happened in October 2022.
It sparked a number of calls to the police by concerned members of the public, amid fears there could be a mass shooting at the school.
North Wales Police cordoned off streets in the area as armed officers were called in and Brick was eventually arrested.
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On Tuesday, Mold Crown Court heard how Brick wore the mask and carried the imitation guns to keep people away from his dog.
His pet had attacked another dog earlier and Brick was said to have wanted to look "intimidating".
During the hearing, Myles Wilson, acting for Brick, said it was an "odd case".
The court heard how Brick had no grudge against anybody and didn't threaten anyone, but "for some reason has tried to make himself look as intimidating as possible".
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Mr Wilson added: "Why he did that is a mystery. It is almost the sort of thing a child would do."
He said it was more frightening given that he was a grown man.
Summing up the case, Judge Niclas Parry said Brick had caused "havoc and real fear".
The public were concerned at seeing a man in a balaclava, carrying two guns, going towards a primary school, he said.
Judge Parry said: "It is indicative of the world we live in that members of the public could even imagine that there could be a mass killing of children at a school - but that's the world we live in.
"Police resources were wasted, armed police were called and roads cordoned off.
"But the reality is this was a more pathetic scenario. You were ready to threaten anybody who didn't like your dog - and that's what it boils down to."
Brick admitted possessing ammunition for a firearm without a certificate; possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence; and possessing an imitation firearm in a public place.
During the sentencing the judge took into account Brick's mitigation - he had been living an isolated life recently, with drug issues, living with his father and grandmother.
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He had been hit hard by the death of his mother, but was making efforts to address his drug taking.
Judge Parry gave him a six-month sentence, suspended for 18-months, with rehabilitation and drug rehabilitation requirements.
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