After producing the weapon – which the court heard was a BB gun and therefore an imitation firearm – he fired it in the air
An east Belfast man who told two schoolgirls he was a police officer then displayed what he claimed was his personal protection weapon was handed a two-year sentence on Wednesday.
Steven Hamilton – who said he was ‘just trying to be the big man’ – appeared at Belfast Crown Court.
From Upper Newtownards Road, the 53-year old was sentenced by Judge Neil Rafferty KC who divided the two-year term equally between prison and licence.
The court heard that around 3.30pm on February 6 this year, two schoolgirls were waiting at Holywood train station on the Bangor to Belfast service.
Also at the halt was Hamilton and after standing behind the schoolgirls, he spoke to them and made a comment about being able to report people for visual assaults and that he would get into trouble for talking to them.
Hamilton, who they said reeked of alcohol, told the girls he was a member of the PSNI and showed them what he claimed was his personal protection weapon which was tucked into the waistband of his trousers.
After the train arrived the schoolgirls got on followed by Hamilton, who walked past them.
They saw him sitting close to another girl and during the journey, he put the gun on his lap.
The schoolgirls were able to alert a ticket inspector on the train and when it arrived at Lanyon a short time later, Hamilton was met by the station manager and two security staff.
After producing the weapon – which the court heard was a BB gun and therefore an imitation firearm – he fired it in the air.
He also threatened to knock one of the staff member’s glasses off his face.
Police arrived and Hamilton was subdued and arrested.
He subsequently pleaded guilty to charges of possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence and behaving in a threatening or abusive manner on February 6, 2025.
Branding Hamilton as a “troubled individual”, Judge Rafferty noted he had 166 previous convictions – many of which were associated with “alcoholism and mental health issues.”
The Judge added: “He claims to have a full recollection of the day in question and said he was just trying to be the big man.
“Unfortunately he had tried to be the big man on a number of occasions.
“The reality is that this defendant has mental health issues which are not assisted by his habitual use of alcohol.”
After imposing the two-year sentence, Judge Rafferty told Hamilton “you are an individual who simply cannot drink” then asked the prison staff to “take him into custody.”
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