Lossiemouth man terrified missionaries with replica handgun

TWO missionaries from the Mormon Church were terrified when they had a replica handgun pointed at them as they tried to introduce a Lossiemouth man to their faith.

Inverness Sheriff Court was told that the handgun held by 42-year-old Robert Sacawa, of Rockall Place, was a replica of a Colt 9mm automatic pistol which could not be fired.

The gun – known as a BB gun which fires pellets – was not lethal, Sheriff Eilidh Macdonald heard. However, the two women from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints did not know they were at no risk.

Sacawa admitted possessing the imitation firearm at his then home on June 10, 2018, which caused the missionaries to believe unlawful violence would be used against them.

The case took so long to come to court because Sacawa failed to appear for two court hearings and a warrant had to be issued for his arrest.

Fiscal depute Pauline Gair told the court: "The two missionaries visited his home to spread the word about their religion.

"He told them that he was of the Catholic faith and he said he would not be swayed from that."

The conversation continued but ended abruptly when Sacawa went into his house and came out with the handgun.

"He cocked it and waved it about. It was a BB gun manufactured in China which looked like a Colt self-loading pistol but was not capable of firing," Mrs Gair added

Defence solicitor David Patterson, standing in for Sacawa's lawyer Matthew O'Neill, said a background report would be required.

Sheriff Macdonald deferred sentence until June 14 and again remanded Sacawa, who was described as an Inverness prisoner, in custody.