POLICE who arrested a man found an imitation firearm when they searched him.

Blackburn magistrates heard Jamie Ian King did not brandish the weapon and he was not stopped because of it.

King, 28, of Stephen Street, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to possessing an imitation firearm. He was jailed for eight weeks.

Andy Robinson, prosecuting, said the spring powered BB gun was not loaded.

Salina Akhtar, defending, said her client claimed he had found the BB gun in the street.

“He wasn’t brandishing it, it was in his pocket, and it wasn’t seen by any members of the public,” said Miss Akhtar.