A former Fonacab taxi driver who assaulted a passenger with an imitation firearm will spend 10 months in jail and 10 months on license.

Belfast Crown court was told that 49-year-old Brian Alexander Stalford, from Park Avenue in east Belfast, was under the influence of cocaine the day of the gun attack and admitted “acting the hardman”.

The court heard that Stalford issued the threat to the front-seat passenger over a drugs debt.

His barrister Sean Devine said the “supreme irony” of the incident was that Stalford issued the threat to pay off his own drugs debt, and was under the influence of cocaine at the time.

The court heard that cocaine made Stalford “feel confident and invincible and made him act like a hard man”.

Det Sgt Hughes said today’s sentencing “sends a message that the possesion or use of firearms, imitation or otherwise, is unacceptable in any modern society”.

Stalford has 66 previous convictions. Judge McColgan said this including two prior charges for possessing an offensive weapon.

The court was told Stalford has expressed remorse and regret for his actions and has displayed victim empathy regarding the impact his actions will have had on both passengers.