Man arrested for ‘impersonating police officer and pointing gun at young girls’

A man has been charged after allegedly carrying a gun on a train and approaching young female passengers while claiming to be a police officer.

The suspect was arrested at a train station in Belfast on Thursday following reports he had ‘brandished the weapon, pointing it at staff’.

Police claim the 52-year-old suspect approached two teenage girls at the train station in Holywood, Co Down and claimed to be a police officer.

After speaking to the girls he allegedly moved his coat and revealed to them he had a gun on his belt, and then boarded the same train as them.

Once onboard, he is said to have taken a seat next to another teenage girl and placed his weapon on his lap.

The ‘extremely frightened’ young girl the got off the train at the next stop, police said.

Train staff were then alerted to the man’s presence and he was escorted off the train at the next station.

While being detained by security, he allegedly pointed his gun at them.

A PSNI spokesperson said a BB gun or airgun was found during a search by police.

He has since been charged with impersonating a police officer and possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence and is due to appear at Laganside Magistrates Court on Saturday.

Det Sgt McCartan said: ‘This was a disturbing and upsetting ordeal for all of the young women involved. No one should be subject to this kind of harassing and intimidating behaviour anywhere, at any time. It is truly deplorable.’

Detectives are currently appealing for witnesses.

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