Man charged following Atherstone firearms incident

A 26-year-old man has been charged with possession of an imitation firearm in a public place.

John David Blakeman, currently of no fixed abode, was arrested at 11.35pm Thursday (27th August) by armed officers on Long Road, Atherstone.

He has been remanded in custody and will appear at Leamington Magistrates Court tomorrow morning (Saturday 29th August).

The report was made to police at 9.30pm out of concern for the man’s welfare and no other members of the public were put at risk. No shots were fired but distraction devices were used to allow officers to detain the man. An imitation firearm was recovered.