A SMOKER landed himself in court after he sparked a cigarette with a novelty lighter he bought on Facebook which looked like a gun.
Newcastle Crown Court was told Joe Brown left a woman "shocked and distressed" when he pulled out what appeared to be a black firearm in the city centre.
The victim, who had been alarmed to hear a clicking sound, alerted police and the former kitchen porter was arrested.
He then told officers the item was a lighter he had bought from Facebook.
Brown, 32, of Peth Head, Hexham, Northumberland, who has a criminal record, admitted having an imitation firearm in a public place.
The court heard Brown intended to use the item as a lighter and did not threaten anyone with it.
The victim said in an impact statement she was "shocked and distressed" by what she saw in March close to the Centre for Life.
Judge Robert Spragg sentenced Brown to a 12-month community order with probation requirements and told him: "I suggest you don't buy any others on Facebook."
Judge Spragg said it was "not surprising" that the woman contacted the police when she saw the item and told Brown: "You explained it was a lighter and indeed it was an imitation firearm but it was a lighter.
"In interview you explained you had purchased it from Facebook and said you only intended to use it for it's intended purpose.
"It was a shocking and distressing incident for the person who saw it. It was incredibly stupid of you to be carrying it in a public place."
The court heard Brown had not intended to cause any distress, has been diagnosed with autism and ADHD and has support.
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