A former soldier who drunkenly brandished an imitation gun on a town centre street will be sentenced by a Carlisle Crown Court judge.

Witnesses saw 21-year-old Tomas Holme pull the black handgun from out of his trouser pocket before waving it above his head as he stood talking to two young women in Penrith town centre.

At Carlisle's Rickergate Magistrates' Court, prosecutor John Moran said that the bystanders nearby were genuinely afraid because they believed that the gun was real.

The defendant, of Melmerby, Penrith, admitted two offences: possessing an imitation firearm in a public place and possessing a bladed article – a lock-knife – also in public.

Opening the case, Mr Moran said the defendant committed the offences just before 7pm on July 2 when Holme was spotted in Devonshire Street, chatting to the two women and drinking openly.

“He appeared to be drunk and was shouting to the two girls he was with,” said Mr Moran. “He then reached into the back of his trousers and took out what witnesses believed at the time to be a black gun.

“He held it by its grip and brandished it above his head.

“Witnesses genuinely believed it was a real handgun. He was brandishing it for approximately 30 seconds before he put it back into is waistband.

“The evidence is that he then put it into a bin and it was recovered by the police.”

Mr Moran said an expert police firearms officer had confirmed that the gun was a non-functioning BB gun which was painted black to make it look realistic.

When police arrested Holme, he was fully cooperative, and made reference to him being ex-forces. When the officers checked his backpack they found the lock-knife, which had a blade that was just under 3 inches long.

When this was produced by the police officer, Holme said: “I'm allowed that: it's the one the Army gave me.”

He said he had been extremely drunk and had also taken diazepam tablets on the day of the offence.

The gun had been painted black so it could be used in a game, he said. He had not realised that carrying the knife was an offence, thinking that because it was less than three inches long it would be legal.

Mr Moran confirmed that the defendant was a man of previous good character other than a reprimand for a theft a decade ago.

The prosecutor added: “The witnesses were in fear because they genuinely believed this was a handgun.”

District Judge Gerald Chalk noted the defendant's previous good character but said that his sentencing powers were not sufficient.

He ordered background reports and told Holme that he will appear for sentence at the crown court on October 27.