A MAN who pointed a stun gun at a group of teenage girls has been jailed for five years.

John Garrett, 49, of no fixed address, brandished the weapon at the teenagers at Clacton train station.

Police officers were called to the station after Garrett waved the gun at the girls on September 8 last year.

Garrett was arrested at the scene.

Two days later, Garrett approached two of the girls when he saw them at the same station.

A spokesman for British Transport Police said Garrett threatened the pair and shouted at them, leaving them feeling “intimidated and scared”.

Garrett was arrested again on the same day. He admitted four charges related to the incident when he appeared at Ipswich Crown Court.

Harwich and Manningtree Standard:

  • Weapon - The stun gun

The charges included possession of a concealed firearm, possession of a knife, affray and witness intimidation.

He was sentenced to five years in prison.

Det Con Alan Reed, from the British Transport Police, said: “The brandishing and activation of a stun gun towards a child is abhorrent and to then approach them again, knowing they had reported the matter, compounds the offences.

“I want to commend the victim in reporting what happened, which led to Garrett’s arrest and conviction.”

A spokeswoman for train operator Greater Anglia welcomed the sentencing and called on any passengers who witnesses intimidation to report it.

She said: “We welcome Garrett’s sentence. Criminal behaviour is not tolerated on our network.

“We helped British Transport Police with their enquiries and would like to thank them for their work on this case.

“Everyone has the right to travel without violence or intimidation and we would encourage anyone who sees a crime to report it immediately.”