A teenager has been sent to prison for three and a half years after he produced an imitation gun in a Winchester restaurant.

Christopher Darcy (19) admitted possessing the firearm at Cellar Peking, in Jewry Street, with intent to cause Gary Davies, a doorman, fear of violence on February 18th.

At Winchester Crown Court, Judge Patrick Hooton said: "One only has to pick up that gun and feel the weight of it and see how real it is and to appreciate that everyone standing around you was absolutely terrified and one person at least thought he was going to be shot."

Describing the incident as "very serious", the judge added: "Day after day, you read about people with guns, whether they are real or whether they are imitation."

Darcy received a year concurrent for leaving the restaurant without paying a £96 bill and an additional six months for breaching an anti-social behaviour order.

Formerly of Longfield Road, Winnall, he had been given the ASBO in January after being convicted of theft.