Jail for former soldier who terrified bus passengers with replica gun

Ian Kinney, 38, was sentenced at Nottingham Crown Court earlier this week after pleading guilty to possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.

The court heard that Kinney, who served in Bosnia and Northern Ireland, left his home in Long Eaton, Derbyshire, on November 30 last year after drinking beer at his house. He walked around the town with a BB rifle, pointing it at motorists before turning it towards a bus full of terrified passengers.

The bus can be seen to reverse in the video as Kinney, dressed in black, points the gun at the windscreen. Armed officers were sent to the scene and a rubber bullet was fired at Kinney, who then surrendered, Derbyshire Police said yesterday.

Judge Andrew Hamilton sentenced Kinney to five years in prison on Tuesday at Nottingham Crown Court after he admitted possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.

The judge also ordered that the gun should be destroyed.

Detective Inspector Emlyn Richards, from Derbyshire Police, said Kinney had “struck fear into the hearts and minds of innocent people”.