Fake gun used during disturbance in the grounds of Leeds hospital

A car also mounted pavements and grass verges as it was driven at those involved in the incident at St James’s Hospital in Leeds.

A court heard how people on board a bus looked on in shock as Daniel Brown waved the imitation weapon around after being threatened by a rival group of men on June 3 this year.

Leeds Crown Court heard the background to the disturbance involved Brown’s sister being taken to the hospital after overdosing on the legal high known as ‘spice’.

The court heard that the man who sold the drug to her had bricks thrown at his home after she was taken ill.

The man, who operates a business selling legal highs, then recruited Ryan Freeman and James Thrush to go with him to the hospital.

The group was then involved in an “ugly scene” outside the hospital with Daniel Brown, his friend Jordan Brown, and several other men.

Freeman was driving an Audi car and Thrush was on a Honda motorbike.

Freeman and Thrush drove at the Browns as they ran up and down Beckett Street.

Daniel Brown then produced the fake handgun which was witnessed by passengers on a bus.

Police arrived at the scene and Thrush sped off on the motorbike.

He was followed by officers through the Gipton and Seacroft areas of Leeds then headed towards the M1. Thrush then took the road to Tadcaster before driving through Boston Spa and Thorner and eventually giving himself up near Bramham Park.

Daniel Brown, 21, of Farrow Road, Armley, pleaded guilty to possession of an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence. He was sent to a young offenders institution for 18 months.

James Thrush, 28, of Barncroft Drive, Seacroft, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and was jailed for 14 months.

Jordan Brown, 21, of Hollins Park Road, Roundhay, pleaded guilty to affray and was sentenced to 12 months.

Ryan Freeman, 26, of Boggart Hill Crescent, Seacroft, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving. He was given an eight month prison sentence, suspended for two years, and ordered to do 160 hours of unpaid work.

The Recorder of Leeds, Judge Peter Collier, QC, said: “I have to bear in mind that all of this happened right by St James’s Hospital. It was early afternoon and there was a lot of people about. This was a very serious incident.”