A man is jailed after pulling a gun in a pub; his granddaughter took his late wife’s ashes, sparking a family standoff.
People described the event as a TV drama, with Gordon acting like a “crazed lunatic.” He is now going to prison and should have been enjoying retirement. Gordon’s partner left a child alone, and his granddaughter went to his house to complain. The prosecutor also called it a TV drama.
She took his late wife’s ashes in protest, starting a chain of events. Gordon drove to a pub armed with a pick axe handle and a gun. There, he confronted his granddaughter.
She filmed the encounter and put it on Facebook Live. The video showed her screaming and laughing. Gordon’s grandson challenged him with a baseball bat, and people ushered Gordon back to his car. He then left the pub.
Police found Gordon at a storage unit on Pensnett Road and seized the pick axe and a pistol. They also found two Tasers, one of which looked like a phone, and a 9mm bullet at his home. He appeared in court via video link.
He had prior convictions, mostly for dishonesty or drugs, but none since 2019. His lawyer argued that he is a hard worker and active in his community, supporting local charities. This support included a boxing club, the air ambulance, and aiding people needing limbs. He is described as caring and generous.
His granddaughter means the world to him and he regrets his actions. Instead of being in prison, he should be retired. He lost his parents and his wife, whose death hurt him deeply, and he didn’t deal with it well. He cared for both his father and wife and is dealing with a lot of grief.
His wife may have received wrong medication. Gordon said he bought weapons to feel safe, after someone robbed him and stole money. He maintains he is not a gangster.
Having worked in pubs, he knew people. He bought a gun because he felt threatened. Gordon said he only meant to scare his family and would never actually use the weapons.
The judge said he got angry at his house. At the pub, he waved the gun around before putting it in his pocket. The judge acknowledged that Gordon is capable of good and has helped many people. He expressed sorrow, calling it a sad situation, since his family was close until recently.
Taking the ashes triggered Gordon, causing him great emotional distress, but his actions were excessive and wrong. The judge criticized him for obtaining a gun, stating that having a gun is no excuse, as guns kill people. Gordon admitted to the gun crimes. He was jailed for five years.