A suicidal man visited a Carlisle bar for one last pint of beer – while armed with a loaded air gun.

He was carrying the gun that he planned to use to kill himself, a court heard.

The city’s magistrates’ court heard how David James Smith, 42, had gone to Carlisle with the intention of later taking his own life.

Appearing in court, Smith admitted possessing a loaded air pistol in a public place and the possession of cannabis.

Prosecutor Diane Jackson described how police went to The Cumberland Inn, on Botchergate, on the evening of March 3, after a member of the public became concerned having spotted the gun the defendant was carrying.

When officers challenged him, Smith simply lifted up his jacket and showed them the gun – a black handled pistol that was tucked into his trousers. He was also carrying cannabis.

Mark Shepherd, for Smith, who lives at Dunmallet Rigg, in Morton, Carlisle, said his client had a clear intention to kill himself that day.

“There have been previous attempts to end his life,” said Mr Shepherd.

The defendant was a heavy drug user, who suffered from chronic mental illness.

“It was one last pint before he was going to kill himself,” his lawyer continued.

“He described what he would do; that he would go to an isolated location in a park.”

Smith had not threatened anybody with the gun, Mr Shepherd said.

The defendant had the pistol gun pointing down in his waistband because he did not want anybody to be accidentally hurt, said the lawyer.

District Judge Gerald Chalk said people may have assumed the pistol was a real one but accepted that the defendant had issues that need to be addressed. 

He imposed a 42-day jail sentence, but suspended the term for a year. In that time, Smith must complete 30 days rehabilitation.

He was also fined £35 for possessing cannabis, £25 for failing to appear in court on time, and told to pay £85 costs.