POLICE were called out after a shocked member of public saw a Barrow man with a 'pistol' on a social media livestream - only for the weapon to be later confirmed as a BB gun, a court heard.

William Connolly was said to have been streaming himself and a friend 'messing around' with the weapon, causing one concerned viewer to report it to police.

Officers caught up with the 19-year-old when he was on his way home and found the BB gun in his possession.

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Connolly, of Roose Road, admitted possessing an imitation firearm in a public place when he was brought before South Cumbria Magistrates' Court.

On December 30 at 10.15pm a member of the public reported to police they were following a live stream on Kik.

"The witness described the defendant and another male in the stream waving around a firearm," said prosecutor Lee Dacre.

"It does cause some concern for that member of the public.

"Firearms officers watched the live streamand decided it was a pistol similar in shape to a Glock."

Officers were then dispatched to the property, on Smeaton Street, after 1am.

Police eventually caught up with Connolly when he was on his way home.

They found the gun, which was identified as a airsoft BB gun, in a bag.

Connolly also had cannabis on him, the court was told.

Mr Dacre said the defendant had eight previous convictions.

Mitigating, Andy Gallagher said: "The imitation firearm, I'm instructed, was bought locally from a shop in the town centre.

"On this particular occasion a friend of his had become aware of it and wanted to see it, so Mr Connolly took it to his friend's home address.

"For reasons not entirely clear there was a livestream with Mr Connolly and his friend messing around with it and taking it to bits.

"When spoken to by the police he was on a bike with the initiation firearm in a plastic bag in a rucksack.

"He accepts at that time he was in a public place.

"The imitation firearm itself is a BB gun. The defendant accepts it could construed to look like genuine."

Mr Gallagher said the cannabis found was a 'small amount for personal use'.

For the offences magistrates sentenced Connolly to a 12 week curfew, keeping him at home between 6pm and 6am.

Chair of the bench Chris Harris said: "We've taken into account your early guilty plea and your record - not particularly enviable for a young man of 19."

The court also ordered Connolly to complete a drug rehabilitation programme.

"This could be an important stage in your life - make sure you don't miss the opportunity," Mr Harris said.