Youth warned he faces detention after being caught with golden gun

Ateenager with a golden gun was warned yesterday he could be locked up after being caught with the distinctive weapon.

Luqman Khan, 18, was spotted openly carrying the golden handgun around Perth and sparked a police raid on his home.

Sheriff Gillian Wade told him: “You have pled guilty to a serious offence. I am going to call for reports to give me the widest range of options, including a custodial sentence if necessary.”

Khan, of Albert Road, Bolton, yesterday admitted having the illicit weapon in the centre of Perth on May 30 2019, including in the Whitefriars surgery.

Fiscal depute Marie Irvine told Perth Sheriff Court: “At 5.20pm on May 30 2019 a witness picked up the accused in a taxi. He asked to be driven a short distance to the location (the surgery).

“Upon arrival the accused got out and asked the driver to wait for him to return. Two witnesses sitting in reception saw the accused entering.

“A few minutes later he walked towards the exit and they observed him holding what they described as a rose gold handgun.

“The incident was reported to surgery staff.

“The accused returned to the taxi. Once inside the vehicle the accused removed a gold handgun from his jacket pocket and placed it on his lap.”

Khan then got the driver to take him to a chemist and asked him to leave the engine running until he came back out and eventually on to where he was staying in Perth at the time.

At 8.20pm police officers arrived at Khan’s home and quizzed him about what the witnesses had reported him to be carrying earlier in the day.

Miss Irvine said: “He admitted to being within the surgery but denied having any firearm or anything that looked like that in his possession.

“The accused gave permission to search the house, but nothing of evidential value was found.” Officers returned to carry out a further search the next day.

“During that search the gun was recovered in a cupboard in the bedroom. The accused was arrested.”

In reply to caution and charge, Khan said: “It’s ludicrous.” The court was told the gun was a spring loaded metal air pistol. It can be purchased online for less than £20.

Khan’s solicitor told the court: “The gravity of this matter is not lost on him. He was 17 at the time and is still only 18 now.”

Sentence was deferred until next month and Khan was granted bail, to remain of good behaviour.

FIREARMS OFFENCE: Luqman Khan sparked alarm after he took a gold handgun from his pocket and placed it on his lap during a taxi journey.