Welshpool, Powys man charged at tea shop owner with 'gun'

Trudy Langton and Howard Clements told the court that they feared they would both be killed when Nathan Griffin returned to The Bay Tree Vintage Tea Room with a "Glock-style pistol" -  which turned out to be a gas-powered airsoft gun.

The 34-year-old hit Mr Clements, who worked at The Angel pub in Welshpool, over the head with the gun before being wrestled to the floor and hit with a rounders bat.

Griffin, of Hall Street, Welshpool, was sentenced to 21 months in jail at Mold Crown Court on Wednesday (March 13) having admitted stalking involving fear of violence, grievous bodily harm with intent and possession of an imitation firearm.

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His Honour Judge Rhys Rowlands told the 34-year-old that his behaviour was "borne out of jealousy" when Ms Langton wasn't interested in him.

"It was the sort of unsettling behaviour designed by you, and wearing someone down was your intention," he added.

The prosecution said Griffin and his victim were in a brief relationship which ended last summer.

When Ms Langton posted pictures on social media of her new partner, "really angry" Griffin shouted and screamed at her when he visited her tea room in Church Street.

She then blocked him on social media, but Griffin would phone her and send "nasty" messages for months from an unknown number.

Griffin promised to improve his behaviour, but on New Year's Eve (December 31) he approached her in the Angel and yelled at her about her new relationship.

Then at about 7pm on Saturday, January 6, Griffin came to The Bay Tree, grabbed his victim's puppy, and texted her threats against Mr Clements.

The court heard he sent her messages threatening to "f*** s*** up".

The victims were in the porch when they saw Griffin running towards them before he fumbled in his pocket and pulled out a handgun. 

Mr Clements pushed his arm away but was struck on the head with the weapon three or four times.

When Ms Langton realised Griffin had a gun in his hand, she went to get a rounders bat from behind the bar, hit his head and called passersby for help.

The court heard that the trigger of the gun accidently went off during the struggle and Ms Langton said she could feel a puff of air pass her face.

In a statement read out in court she said the incident felt like a "bad dream" which she "honestly thought Mr Clements was going to be killed".

Mr Clements also feared Griffin was going to shoot and kill him and described the incident as a "nightmare" for all involved.

Griffin's barrister Gemma Gordon said he had previous convictions including possession of a bladed article in 2016.

"He recognises he has issues that need addressing in relation to substance abuse," Ms Gordon said. "And his behaviour with intimate relationships.

"He’s never been to custody. You’ll see references to his mental health and how it’s previously manifested.

"He is stable and receiving the medication he requires. His desire is to serve the sentence, abide the restraining order and when he is released return to his mother’s address."

His Honour Judge Rhys Rowlands told Griffin that the stalking had been planned over a period of time and that his previous convictions show that his “behaviour can't be out of character”.

"The gun appeared to be real to both victims and Mr Clements thought he was going to be killed," he said.

"You went home to fetch the weapon. It was dark, and the gun was realistic in nature."

He acknowledged that he still had work available to him, and that he had issues with his mental health, but added: "This isn't a case where punishment can be done other than an immediate custodial sentence."

Griffin was given three months for stalking and 18 months for the firearm offence which would be served consecutively. The 15-month sentence for wounding would be served concurrently. He must also comply with a five-year restraining order.