Pendle man 'threatened to kill police officer' (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Pendle man 'threatened to kill police officer'

9:30am Tuesday 15th December 2009

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A MAN threatened to kill a police sergeant after being arrested for possessing a modified double-barrelled pistol loaded with exploding bullets, a jury was told.

Burnley Crown Court heard how the gun and ammunition were found at a house in Nelson where Haroon Rafiq, 36, had allegedly been staying.

He was taken to the police station, where he threatened to kill a detective sergeant, threw water over a nurse and claimed he had loads of guns, the court heard.

Rafiq was said to have told officers he had once been shot five times in Barrowford and he had a gun to protect his family and land.

A firearms expert later reported the gun had been fired since it had been converted and was last cleaned.

The defendant denies possessing a prohibited firearm, a modified .22 rimfire calibre double barreled over and under Derringer starting pistol with a barrel of less than 30 cms, last June.

He also pleads not guilty to possessing prohibited ammunition cartridges with bullets designed to explode on or immediately after impact, making a threat to kill and common assault.

Julian Taylor, prosecuting, said on June 29 this year, at about 8.45am, a number of police officers went to an address in Pine Street.

Rafiq was said to be living or staying on and off at the property.

He was arrested after officers eventually gained entry.

He was abusive and aggressive for some considerable time after being escorted from the address and at the police station, the court heard.

The defendant was taken to Burnley police station and officers then searched the house.

In the front bedroom they found a small hand held pistol in a suit jacket hanging up in the wardrobe area.

There were two rounds in the weapon and a further 10 rounds were discovered in the jacket.

Mr Taylor said at the police station, Rafiq was cautioned and taken to a cell.

DS Simon Ingham, with another officer, went to arrest him for firearms offences and the defendant allegedly said: "You lot didn't help me when I was shot five times in Barrowford."

The defendant began to swear at officers and pointed to some scars on his hands and arms. He shouted abuse and the cell door was shut.

The cell hatch was open and from inside Rafiq was said to have raised two fingers, imitating a firearm and said to DS Ingham:"You locked me up. You have got this coming."

The officer asked him, "What do you mean?”. The defendant replied, "nothing" and then again raised two fingers imitating a gun and said: "You know whats coming to you."

The prosecutor said Rafiq was later visited by a police sergeant and custody nurse and a cup of water was handed through the hatch. He then pushed it forcibly so that water went over the nurse.

Mr Taylor said the defendant was then taken from the cell to the custody office and allegedly said to police: "So what if I have got a gun? I have one for eight or nine years. I have got loads of guns. I will protect my family and my land."

The incident was captured on CCTV cameras, the court was told.

Mr Taylor said the pistol and the ammunition were examined by a firearms expert who said it had been modified and a cartridge had been discharged since it was modified and it had last been cleaned.

The prosecutor said the defendant was interviewed and on the first occasion gave a prepared statement.

He denied threatening the detective sergeant and said he did not throw water over the nurse instead saying it was spilt.

(proceeding)

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