When told to wear a mask, a man pulled out an imitation firearm and threatened takeaway staff.

A Rhondda man who pointed an imitation firearm at a kebab shop owner after he was told to wait outside the shop because he refused to wear a mask has been jailed.

Paul Griffiths, 57, of Penrhys Road, Ystrad, walked into the ‘Rhondda Takeaway’ on Gelligaled Road at around 10.15pm on November 5th, 2020 and tried to order food. When he was asked to put on a mask he refused so was told to wait outside.

As the owner tried to explain why he was asking him to put on a mask, Griffiths refused and pulled out an imitation firearm from his pocket and pointing it at people inside the shop.

A customer and a delivery driver dived behind the counter fearing they were going to be shot. The delivery driver then ran to the living quarters and told people to lock the door before running out of the back of the shop to call 999.

Armed officers arrived within minutes to arrest Griffiths and he was taken into custody.

They obtained a warrant to search his home in Penrhys Road where they discovered a cannabis factory.

The imitation firearm used by him was a CO2 powered paintball-type firearm which is prohibited.

Griffiths was charged with possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, possessing a prohibited weapon, and cannabis production.

He appeared at Merthyr Tydfil Magistrates Court on 20 May for sentence after pleading guilty and was jailed for 20 months.

The officer in charge of the police investigation, Detective Constable Lucy Robins, said: "Griffiths’ actions that night were plain stupid and reckless. The people inside the shop that night genuinely feared for their lives.

“I would like to praise the actions of the owner who acted calmly and put the safety of others first by trying to keep Griffiths inside the takeaway. The delivery driver raised the alarm quickly which ensured our armed officers were on the scene in minutes while he was still inside the premises.”