'I will shoot myself' (From Barry And District News)

'I will shoot myself'

A MAN who took a shotgun to his ex-girlfriend's flat and threatened to kill himself if she did not take him back has been jailed.

Allan David Carter, of Shakespeare Avenue, Penarth, had pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to possessing a shotgun while being banned from doing so, possession of a shotgun without a licence and possession of ammunition in a public place.

He appeared at Cardiff Crown Court for sentencing.

The court heard Carter went to his ex girlfriend's flat in Rhoose on Friday, March 11.

His former partner, who had their one-year-old daughter with her, let him into the building and he asked her to take him back. They had split up six months earlier.

The court was told he went to the bathroom and came out with a 12in single bore shotgun which he had taken from his father's house in Llandough. She thought he would use it to shoot himself.

She took their daughter from the building and the police were called. There was a one-hour stand off during which Carter dismantled the gun and hid it.

The 30-year-old, who had ridden a motorbike to Rhoose on the day of the incident, also admitted driving while disqualified, with no insurance and no MOT certificate. Carter, a welder, had been banned from driving for 10 years in 1996.

His defence barrister Bernard Powell said the offences had been committed while Carter "was at a low ebb".

Mr Powell added: "He was a user of heroin and cocaine, but had only started using the hard drugs again since he had split up from this lady. The taking of the drugs meant that he could not keep his job.

"He is not presently using drugs. He will continue to weld when he comes out of prison. He now understands that he will not be able to get his ex-girlfriend back."

Sentencing Carter, Judge Philip Richards said: "You took the shotgun to your former girlfriend to use it to get her to return to you by threatening to commit suicide.

"You carefully considered your actions before doing this. Your ex-girlfriend would have been terrified and the child could have been hurt. Your actions were selfish.

"I am pleased to hear that you are off drugs but it is a question whether you will stay off them.

"If you do not stay clear of drugs I fear for your future. You will be in and out of prison and spending longer and longer incarcerated if you continue to take drugs."

For the three firearms offences, Carter was given three, two-year sentences to run concurrently.

For driving while disqualified he was given a four-month sentence to run consecutively.