Sentence deferred on car gunman

The High Court in Glasgow heard Sneddon pointed the gun at police

Two police officers were threatened by a gunman after they stopped a car in Cumbernauld, a court has heard.

James Sneddon, 25, opened the passenger door of the car on 10 January and produced a double-barrelled shotgun and told the officers to "get back".

Sneddon admitted assaulting constables David Clark and Christopher Halaka by aiming a shotgun at them.

At the High Court in Glasgow, Judge Lord Hodge deferred sentence until 2 June for background reports.

The police officers stopped the vehicle in Afton Road, Cumbernauld, earlier this year.

David Young, prosecuting, said Sneddon trained the weapon from one officer to another and they "backed off".

Their vision was impaired because the windows were blacked out David Young Prosecuting

Sneddon and the other two men in the car then ran off.

The police officers radioed for assistance and a search of the area revealed six live bullets on the ground near the car.

A black balaclava was found behind the driver's seat, but there was no sign of the shotgun.

Mr Young said: "At 8.20pm the officers, who were in plainclothes, were asked to attend following a report of a suspected drink-driver.

"They positioned their car in front of the accused's Vauxhall. Their vision was impaired because the windows were blacked out.

Assaulting police

"They identified themselves as police officers and showed their warrant cards."

Sneddon, who is a prisoner in Barlinnie, admitted assaulting the police officers by pointing a shotgun at them.

He also admitted having the shotgun with intent to cause the officers to believe unlawful violence would be used against them.

Lord Hodge told Sneddon, who was out on licence at the time after serving a sentence for assault and robbery, that he was considering an extended sentence.

He ordered background reports and an assessment of the danger Sneddon poses to the public.