Gunman who terrorised quiet village to receive psychiatric treatment, judge rules
07.02.2022 - 17:47
/ dailyrecord.co.uk
A man who terrorised a quiet village by pointing a rifle - which later proved to be an air-weapon - at residents is to receive psychiatric treatment in a specialist unit, a judge has ruled.
The incident, which occurred in November 2020, caused a school to be locked down and roads to be cordoned off as armed police set about detaining Michael Reynolds.
Footage recorded by a bystander in the village of Quorn emerged on social media showcasing Reynolds being restrained in the road after cops hit him with a rubber bullet, Leicestershire Live reports.
Reynolds, 51, was charged with possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.
However, he was ruled unfit to enter a plea at an early stage of the hearing at Leicester Crown Court due to his ongoing ill-health.
Instead, a jury later heard evidence not to establish guilt or innocence, but to consider whether he committed the act as outlined by the prosecution. The jury decided he had.
On Friday, Judge Keith Raynor made a hospital order under section 39 of the Mental Health Act, to ensure Reynolds continues to receive psychiatric treatment in a medium secure hospital.
The situation arose at just after midday, on Wednesday November 11, 2020, when a motorist driving along Quorn's High Street turned right into Sarson Street, to see a man standing in the middle of the road holding an air rifle.
The witness immediately alerted the police and kept a watchful eye on the man, while following on foot from a distance into Castledine Street towards Barrow Road.
Meanwhile, staff at Rawlins Academy, in Loughborough Road, in the village, acted swiftly in locking down the school.
Reynolds made his way into the High Street and walked towards he Co-op store where the doors were also