Edward Thomas took an imitation Glock gun into Swansea Business School's library.
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A STUDENT who took an imitation Glock pistol into a university library has been handed a suspended prison sentence.
Edward Thomas had the weapon in a bag when he walked into the library of the University of Wales Trinity St David's (UWTSD) Swansea Business School in November last year - something a district judge described as an "act of enormous stupidity".
Armed police officers swooped on the building — which is near High Street train station — following a call from a concerned lecturer, and the incident passed-off peacefully.
Thomas, aged 20, of St Andrew's Avenue in Crewe, had previously pleaded guilty to possessing an imitation firearm in a public place when he appeared before a district judge at Swansea Magistrates Court today for sentencing.
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The court had previously been told the weapon was indistinguishable from a real gun, but was only capable of firing blanks.
Matt Henson, for Thomas, said his client no longer wanted anything to do with imitation weapons, and now had "no interest in exploring other religions" - the defendant had previously said he had been a Muslim for a couple of weeks.
District judge Neil Thomas said he had to decide whether Thomas taking the weapon into the library had been dangerous or stupid - and said he was satisfied in this case it was an "act of enormous stupidity".
The district judge said that Thomas must have realised that "in this day and age" taking a gun - real or imitation - into a university would cause alarm and distress.
He sentenced the defendant to 16 weeks in prison suspended for 12 months, and made him the subject of a nightly curfew for the next 12 weeks.
Thomas is currently suspended from UWTSD pending the criminal proceedings.
Solicitor Mr Henson said his client was looking at returning to full-time education - but closer to home.
Read more: http://www.southwales-eveningpost.co.uk/Swansea-university-student-took-gun-library/story-28844273-detail/story.html#ixzz41pS7hbeI
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