Threatening message with image of gun was sent to the ‘wrong man’

A MAN in Surrey alerted police in Nottingham after he was sent a picture of a man holding a gun and a shocking message.

It turned out to be a case of mistaken identity when Anthony Mawston sent a voice message to the wrong person.

Nottingham Magistrates’ Court heard the voice message, sent on Facebook messenger, said : “You had the opportunity. Don’t turn back now. Stay the **** away”.

There was a picture sent of a man holding a silver automatic pistol towards the camera.

The victim did now know anyone from the Nottingham area and believed it was a “case of mistaken identity”, explained Kwok Wan, prosecuting.

The man provided screen shots to Surrey Police, who forwarded them to Nottinghamshire Police, who went to Mawston’s property on August 10.

After he was cautioned, he said, “Yeah, I was really drunk last night”, and asked “do you want me to show you the firearm?” and produced a gas-powered BB gun.

Mr Wan told magistrates “fortunately, not a genuine firearm”.

Mawston, 41, of Allandale, Bilsthorpe, was dressed in the same dressing gown worn when he made the photo pointing the gun.

In police interview, he accepted sending the message and photo to the wrong person.

He pleaded guilty to sending, by means of a public electronic communications network, a message that was grossly offensive.

He was fined £80, ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £34, costs of £85, and £50 compensation for the distress to the recipient.