Man with bow and arrow jailed after armed police chase through Stroud gardens

A man has been jailed after being caught with a long bow and arrow. Armed police were called to London Road, in Stroud, shortly before 6am on Monday (June 24).

It was reported that a man was spotted in possession of a weapon and then fled. The same man was then spotted in a garden shortly before 8.30am before being chased through other people's gardens.

Ian Kingston, aged 37 and of no fixed abode, was arrested before being charged with possession of an offensive weapon in connection. Gloucestershire Police officers then recovered a long bow and several arrows from an address.

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As well as admitting to being in possession of an offensive weapon in a public place, Kingston also pleaded guilty to eight counts of interference with a motor vehicle and two counts of theft within the Stroud area. He appeared at Cheltenham Magistrates' Court on Tuesday (june 25) and was jailed for four months.

Stroud Neighbourhood Policing Inspector James Hutchins said: "Kingston's actions on Monday put people in the Stroud community at risk of serious harm. While officers responded to the incident quickly and efficiently, I acknowledge the police presence in the town may have added to the alarm felt.

"I welcome Kingston's sentence and would like to thank officers for getting this prolific offender off the streets so promptly and behind bars the following day. I would also like to thank those who came forward following our appeal for information.

"Removing individuals like Kingston, who are intent on committing crime and causing harm, misery and distress, remains a top priority for our neighbourhood policing team. We are dedicated to ensuring Stroud remains a safe and enjoyable place to live and visit, and we will always take decisive action against those who seek to threaten that."

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