Thug used imitation AK-47 rifle to terrify Leeds woman in her own home
A robber who pulled out a fake AK-47 rifle left a woman terrified after he began shooting inside her home.
Alex Bird fired the imitation gun, which contained ball bearings, and smashed her dinner plates after telling her: “I will show you.”
He was jailed at Leeds Crown Court this week but due to time already served on remand, was expected to be released immediately.
The 32-year-old admitted charges of robbery, possession of an imitation firearm, criminal damage and two breaches of the sex offender register.
In October 2024 Bird had been at a woman’s home in Leeds whom he knew and the pair were talking, but Bird was asked to leave.
He refused but eventually did leave, prosecutor Temitayo Dasaolu said.
Bird returned minutes later, demanding to be let back in.
The woman did let him back in, when he produced the rifle from his coat. He shot at her plates damaging them, before leaving again.
From outside he asked if the woman had dialled 999 and shot one last time at her windows.
The robbery relates to an incident in February last year when he became involved in a domestic incident between a friend and that man’s girlfriend.
During an argument between the couple, the man and Bird threatened the woman and snatched her mobile phone from her along with a power bank, then refused to return them.
The breach of the sex offender register relates to his failures to register his address with police, which he is required to do under the terms.
Bird, of Brignall Croft, Burmantofts, was previously convicted of exposure which led to him being placed on the register.
No mitigation was offered for Bird by his barrister, Eddison Flint, after the judge said he would pass a sentence meaning his release.
Judge Ray Singh gave him a 13-month term.