A 26-year-old man waved an imitation gun while wearing a pig mask.

Rhys Wilkes appeared at Worcester Crown Court via videolink from HMP Hewell on Monday where he admitted possession of an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.

Wilkes of Bushley Close, Redditch, initially denied the offence but after a short adjournment and a conference with his barrister was re-arraigned, admitting the offence which took place on March 30 this year.

Neil Davis, defending, said: “He was in employment up until February this year. He lost that employment and started the downward spiral and started to drink.”

Mr Davis requested the case be adjourned for the probation service to prepare a pre-sentence report.

Judge Andrew Lockhart QC said Wilkes was ‘lightly convicted’ but added: “He well understands that it is almost inevitable there will be a custodial sentence.”

However, he said a pre-sentence report would help the court decide on the length of that term.

Judge Lockhart added: “That will be no doubt affected by what it is you say about what was in his mind by the time he was foolishly walking around with a pig mask, waving an imitation firearm.”

Judge Lockhart told Wilkes he would receive an appropriate and significant level of credit for his guilty plea but could make no promises about the sentence that would be imposed, warning him that it was very likely he would receive ‘further time in custody’.

He adjourned the case until May 24 for sentence, remanding him in custody until that date.