A BUDE man who dialled 999 and told the police he had a gun and intended to hurt himself has been jailed for 12 months.

In fact, it was a BB (ball bearing) gun, but officers who responded to the call did not know that and he was lucky to escape with his own life, Recorder Paul Derbyshire told 41-year-old Philip Cruickshank at Truro Crown Court on Friday.

Cruickshank pleaded guilty to the possession of the imitation weapon and also to producing five cannabis plants which officers found growing in a bedroom.

Prosecutor Bathsheba Cassel told the court that Cruickshank had been drinking alcohol and he shouted and swore at officers who went to his home in Swallow Close, Bude on July 4 last. He said he had problems and that no-one would listen to him.

Armed response officers went to the door and saw Cruickshank with the realistic weapon. He was headbutting the wall and said he wanted to split his head open. He said that he had not intended to hurt anyone and that his actions were a call for help.

Miss Cassel revealed that Cruickshank had previous convictions in 1991, 1998 and 2008 but none related to firearms offences.

Defence counsel Ramsay Quaife pleaded with the Recorder not to impose an immediate custodial sentence.

Reports from a probation officer and psychiatrist concluded he was at low risk of re-offending.

Cruickshank had drunk a cocktail of vodka and cider and was in a fragile and emotional state that night but he had at last got a grip of himself and was no longer taking alcohol or medication. He was genuinely remorseful, said Mr Quaife.

Recorder Derbyshire told Cruickshank he took into account his emotional state at the time but he had brandished the gun at police who were there to help him "and it has been said many times that people who brandish firearms must go straight to prison."