A North Powys man who fired a weapon at a police helicopter has been jailed for five years.

Richard Lawrence Alan Barnard, aged 44, of Alltforgan, Llanwddyn, was sentenced today at Caernarfon Crown Court following a dramatic firearms incident which occurred on the banks of Lake Vyrnwy earlier this year.

Dyfed Powys Police attended the incident on Monday, January 21, at Alltforgan, where a firearm was discharged at unarmed officers who had arrived at the property to assess the defendant's well-being.

As the incident unfolded, shots were also fired in the vicinity of a police helicopter, from a weapon which was later identified as a starting pistol.

At a hearing in February held at Mold Crown Court, Bernard admitted acting in a manner likely to endanger aircraft, as well as a further charge of possessing a firearm, a sawn-off shotgun, with intent to cause fear of unlawful violence.

A Caernarfon crown court judge accepted the shots must have been “blanks” from the starting pistol. But the two officers didn’t know this at the time and armed support called to the scene in mid-Wales heard twelve to 15 shots.

The judge told Barnard:”On January 21 police officers were made aware by your doctor there were concerns for your safety, for your mental health and state of mind. Officers tried to help you. They didn’t just descend upon you, they called you first.

“At the time you rejected those offers for help.”

Recorder Philpotts said Barnard had confronted two officers holding two “terrifying objects”. He said: ”One was a very realistic starting pistol, apparently a perfectly genuine revolver. In your other hand, you had a sawn-off shotgun.”

He said officers must have been “extremely brave” when they moved in and arrested Barnard.

Prosecuting barrister Sion ap Mihangel said Barnard’s GP had called police because he had made comments about taking an overdose.

A supposedly humorous notice on a gate at his home warned: ”Trespassers will be shot and survivors will be shot again.”

Mr ap Mihangel said officers were 15 metres away from Barnard, who had been in a doorway when he suddenly stood up and raised his hands. He fired two shots and the officers ran back to their police car.

They called for back-up and armed officers and the police helicopter were deployed.

A PC felt “numb” after his ordeal and a sergeant was upset and attended counselling.

Simon Rogers, defending, said:”The defendant, through me, wishes to apologise to the police and all those put in fear on that day through his actions.

“He accepts their only motivation that day was to try and help him. The background is he was aware of an allegation that had been made against him and he was in a very, very dark place.

“His intention was to take his own life. He was taken to hospital shortly after his arrest.”

Mr Rogers said Barnard had suffered with anxiety and depression for ten years and received medication. He had wanted officers to leave him alone.

“If it hadn’t been for the police and emergency services, there’s no doubt he would have taken his life on that day,” Mr Rogers declared. “No physical injuries were sustained by anyone.”

Speaking after the sentencing, DCI Gareth Roberts from Dyfed Powys Police paid tribute to the bravery of his officers.

"We welcome the sentencing that reflects the seriousness of the incident whereby our unarmed officers seeking to check Barnard’s welfare were shot at by a weapon that could only be assumed at the time to be lethal.

"The response was swift and the incident was managed effectively to ensure that no harm came to Barnard, officers or other members of the community. The officers initially attending are to be commended for their bravery in co-ordinating a response whilst under significant stress.

"We will continue our efforts to ensure that the criminal use of firearms remains infrequent and exceptional occurrences in our safe communities.”