A court in Canterbury has jailed a man who produced anabolic steroids at his home and fired a BB gun at another man during a confrontation on Romney Marsh.
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Following an investigation by Folkestone CID, James Richardson admitted possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, being concerned in the production of a class C drug and possession of cannabis.
The 32-year-old, formerly from Dymchurch, was sentenced to two and a half years at Canterbury Crown Court on Friday 27 October 2023.
Kent Police was called to an address near Brookland on Tuesday 6 April 2021 following a report a handgun had been fired at a man.
The victim reported that the assailant had asked him his name and then fired the weapon towards his face. The victim put his hand up, which was hit by the ball bearings.
The attacker then left the scene in a white Mercedes, which officers later linked to James Richardson. He was arrested at his home two days after the offence.
At his home, detectives found and seized a large amount of ingredients for making anabolic steroids, as well as a small amount of cannabis.
A photo was found on his phone of a BB gun like that used in the confrontation and he had injuries consistent with those caused during the incident two days earlier.
Detective Constable Adele Couchman, Kent Police’s investigating officer, said: ‘This sudden and unexpected attack with an imitation handgun would have been shocking for the victim, whose actions taking down details of the car helped us track Richardson.
‘I urge anyone who suspects drugs may be being produced in their area to report it to police, so we can take action against those involved.’