‘Terrifying’ ordeal as gun pointed at car windscreen on rural Caithness driveway
A man who aimed a gun at the windscreen of a car with two occupants in a rural driveway was jailed for 32 months at Wick Sheriff Court on Tuesday.
The passenger in the vehicle became hysterical as the driver reversed in an attempt to get away from Clive Harding.
Sheriff Neil Wilson described it as a “terrifying” experience for the couple.
They had gone for a catch-up with a friend at his caravan at Burnbraes, Hilliclay, near Thurso, on Sunday, June 26, 2022.
Grant McLennan said that while the couple were there, Harding entered and left the caravan several times.
The fiscal depute continued: “On the last of the occasions, a hostile exchange took place between the accused and the man who returned to his car with the woman. He began to reverse his car out of the driveway.
“Harding emerged from behind bushes near the caravan about 20 yards away. He had a black or grey pistol in his right hand and pointed it in the direction of the vehicle’s windscreen. The woman began to cry hysterically. The man continued to reverse.
“The accused stayed where he was and kept pointing the pistol at the vehicle which reversed all the way down the drive and drove away.”
The dramatic incident was reported to the police who subsequently arrested Harding. He made no reply when cautioned and charged.
Harding (36), who was then living in a separate caravan at the Burnbraes site, was now described as a prisoner at Inverness Prison. He pleaded guilty on indictment to a charge of assault and also admitted a further charge of having failed to appear at the court on May 16, 2023.
Solicitor Jose Donnachie described the accused’s conduct as “completely unacceptable”. Harding had split with his girlfriend and had not been “in a good place” at the time. She added that he expected a custodial sentence.
Sheriff Wilson enquired about the type of gun used by the accused.
Mr McLennan said that the weapon was black and was one of a number of air pistols recovered by police officers.
Sheriff Wilson, who saw a background report, said that while the incident was relatively short and no real harm had been done, it would have been “terrifying” for the couple and was “an extremely serious matter”.
The sheriff noted that Harding had a considerable offending record with convictions in England numbering 26. These ranged from offences against the person, property, theft, drugs and a single conviction of possessing an offensive weapon.
Harding’s jail sentence was back-dated to August 2 when he was remanded. He also received a five-month custodial sentence on the charge of failing to attend court which will run concurrently.
