Man escapes jail after gun drama

From the archive, first published Friday 14th Oct 2005.

AN ENGINEER who terrified passers-by when he fired an illegal semi-automatic pistol in a drunken suicide attempt has escaped jail.

James Ridout, 36, formerly of Halifax Road, Bowerhill, attempted suicide after becoming depressed over his mother and brother's death in a car crash.

At Swindon Crown Court on Friday, Lynn Swain, prosecuting, said a dog walker was out in Bowerhill shortly after 2pm on November 9 when she heard a gunshot.

Miss Swain said: "She was extremely frightened and as she went along the towpath she heard another shot behind her. She was extremely scared and ducked down.

"She heard another shot and dialled 999 before hearing another shot."

The police arrived and approached Ridout on Bowerhill Lane and asked him why he had a torch in his pocket.

But he reached behind his back and handed over a pistol saying, `You may as well have this'.

When he was arrested Ridout, who appeared drunk, told officers he had fired it five or six times.

Later that afternoon police searched his home and found an arsenal of guns, most of which were legally held.

But they also found a single barrel .410 sawn-off shotgun, which Ridout claimed he had done himself as `an experiment', and a suicide note.

When he was questioned he said he had gone out to kill himself and meant no harm to anyone else.

"Mr Ridout made the sad observation that he was the only man to play Russian roulette with a pistol that should have gone off every time," Miss Swain said.

"He was perhaps oblivious to the fear he had put members of the public in and oblivious to the sensitivities as far as third persons are concerned."

Ridout, now of Oakfield, Little Cheverill, pleaded guilty to two counts of possessing a prohibited firearm ­ which carries a minimum five-year jail term under new laws.

He also admitted having a firearm in public, shortening a shotgun and possessing ammunition without a certificate.

Sarah Regan, defending, said her client had turned to alcohol after the loss of his mum and younger brother Paul, who was killed after the Porsche he was driving collided with another car near Devizes.

Recorder Victor Lyon QC, decided there were exceptional circumstances and decided not to send him to jail.

He imposed a two-year suspended sentence on Ridout.

"All I can say is that this is an extremely exceptional case and it is a case which is not really a precedent for any other case, as in normal circumstances the possession of this is an extremely serious offence," he said.

He ordered Ridout to pay £554 in costs.

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