An Indian-origin university student who threatened people on the streets of Leicester with an imitation AK-47 rifle in a drunken state, has been sentenced to 20 weeks in jail and 12 months of supervision.

Jagjeet Singh Bains, 23, was a third-year student of graphic design at De Montfort University when he went on to the streets wielding the weapon while drunk. The incident occurred at 6:00 am on 5 February.

He threatened to shoot pedestrians and pointed the gun at cars, while standing in the middle of the road. People were terrified at the behaviour as Bains told a woman: "If you don't call the police, I'll shoot you".

Bains, who shouted "I should be dead, I don't want to live", was considered a suicide risk. He is reported to have suffered from depression and was suspended from his university.

Andrew Bolc, defending lawyer at the Leicester Crown Court, said: "He knows he caused considerable shock and distress. He was immediately sorry."

Bains had a drink problem and was suffering from anxiety and depression, which was exacerbated by the breakdown of a relationship. On the day, he was finally subdued by the police using rubber bullets.

Bolc said: "It started as student high jinks and quickly deteriorated, with his low mood and fragile emotional stage."

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