'Idiot' Leeds teenager squirted shopkeeper in the face with pepper spray after he refused to sell him a BB gun

Qumar Frederick also threatened to shoot the victim before spraying him with the noxious fluid during the attack.

Leeds Crown Court heard Frederick committed the offence in Birmingham on September 19 last year while he was away studying at college.

Katherine White, prosecuting, said the defendant went into the shop with another man and asked to look at a BB gun.

Frederick was handed the air weapon by the shopkeeper before the defendant's friend also asked to look at one.

The teenagers pointed the weapons at each other before pointing them at the shopkeeper.

The man refused to sell them as he was concerned at their behaviour.

The defendant said to the victim: "The place I come from has real guns and if I had one I would shoot you."

The victim then tried to get Fredericks out of his shop.

Miss White said: "The defendant produced a black canister from his pocket and sprayed the contents at his face, causing an immediate burning sensation to his eyes and skin."

The victim was helped by his brother as he tried to get the teenagers out of the premises.

As Fredericks was chased from the shop he dropped his mobile phone.

He then turned around and sprayed the victim in the eyes for a second time.

Fredericks was detained by security guards and found in possession of the spray.

When interviewed by police he said he had bought it on eBay and did not realise the item was illegal.

Fredericks, of Reginald Terrace, Potternewton, pleaded guilty to possessing a weapon for the discharge of a noxious fluid.

The defendant's mum gave evidence to the court describing how the offence was out of character for her son.

She said: "I think the group of people he was with at the time must have influenced him."

The mum said Fredericks worked hard to support himself and had a love of dance and music.

Fredericks was given a six-month sentence, suspended for 12 months.

He must also do 200 hours of unpaid work.

Judge Robin Mairs said: "To impress your pals, or those who you thought were your pals, you were running around with pepper spray.

"You ran the risk of having a catastrophic effect on your future.

"He was just trying to earn a living by running a shop. He doesn't need idiots like you and your pals running in there causing a disturbance.

"You have very nearly sent yourself to the young offender institution today.

"You would not have lasted very long in there, let me tell you, regardless of your bravado in the shop and what you said to the shopkeeper."