A man who was carrying an imitation firearm in Bristol city centre has been jailed after being wrestled to the ground by two police officers.
Darius Cucu approached a woman in Nelson Street and pushed the weapon into her stomach in the early hours of Sunday, September 15.
She shouted out to PC Dean Sobey and PC Rowan Birch who were on patrol, prompting Cucu to flee the scene on a bike.
The 36-year-old was pursued to Rupert Street where he pulled what officers believed was a black handgun from his waist band.
They grabbed Cucu, forcing him to drop the weapon. The officers later noticed the firearm was a black plastic imitation gun, with no trigger, and Cucu was arrested.
Afte his arrest, police discovered Cucu’s links to a robbery in Bristol shortly after midnight on Friday, June 21. He was one of a gang who stole a wallet containing £2,000 from a man, in his 60s, in Baldwin Street. The group also stole a mobile phone.
He was found guilty of robbery at Bristol Crown Court yesterday (March 5) after he pleaded guilty to possessing an imitation firearm to cause alarm last month.
Cucu was sentenced to 12 months in prison for the robbery and nine months for the firearm offence, which he will serve consecutively.
The Romanian national has previously served a nine-year jail sentence in his homeland for robbery. He will be deported after serving his sentence.
'Outstanding levels of bravery'
The two officers who apprehended Cucu have been nominated for a national award for the bravery they showed.
Mark Edgington, head of patrol, said: “It is extremely likely that the two officers’ actions prevented Cucu from robbing the woman at gunpoint.
“While it turned out the gun was an imitation, neither officer knew that at the time they arrived on the scene.
“They both showed outstanding levels of bravery in apprehending Cucu in what appeared to be a very dangerous situation.
“Most people’s natural instincts faced with such a situation would be to run, but the officers’ courage has ensured a nasty offender is now off our streets.
“We are hugely proud of the professionalism PC Sobey and PC Birch showed and the efforts they undertook to keep the public safe.”
PC Sobey and PC Birch have been nominated for a Police National Bravery Award, with the awards ceremony being held in London in July.
Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner Sue Mountstevens added: “I am delighted that these two exceptional officers have been nominated for the National Police Bravery Award.
“It’s important that we never forget that officers put their lives on the line to keep local people safe. PC Sobey and PC Birch showed extraordinary bravery in an incredibly dangerous situation.
“The Constabulary and I am very proud of their outstanding actions and professionalism.”
