Northern Ireland

Man who pointed gun at door staff of Belfast pub placed on probation

Neill Millar (41), from Kensington Court, Belfast asked the doormen if he could get back into the pub to finish his drink
Neill Millar (41), from Kensington Court, Belfast asked the doormen if he could get back into the pub to finish his drink Neill Millar (41), from Kensington Court, Belfast asked the doormen if he could get back into the pub to finish his drink

A MAN who pointed a gun at doorstaff of a city centre pub after being thrown out has been placed on a year's probation.

Neill Millar - who Belfast Crown Court heard had a history of mental health issues including hypomania - was thrown out of Benedict's due to suspicions he was taking drugs in the toilet, on February 4 last year.

Millar (41), from Kensington Court, Belfast asked the doormen if he could get back into the pub to finish his drink, and when this request was refused, he left the premises and walked in the direction of Sandy Row.

The court heard he returned to the pub, again asking to finish his drink. When refused, Millar produced a small imitation firearm and pointed it at the doormen.

He then crossed the road, followed by the bouncers, again pointing the gun at them, but dropped it on the ground as they approached and held him at the scene until police arrived.

The doormen told officer the firearms was very realistic, and they felt genuine fear.

Miller- who has 54 previous convictions - admitted pointing the gun to scare them, but claimed after being thrown out of the bar, they bullied, chased and assaulted him.

He was charged with possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.

Prosecutors accepted Millar has a history of poor mental health, which had deteriorated at the time of this "isolated incident", and drink and drugs had impaired his judgment.

Days afterwards he was admitted to a psychiatric unit.

Judge Kevin Finnegan praised the doormen as "very professional".

"We're not dealing with the most dangerous man in town here," he said, determining the "best way forward" was to extend his existing probation with a 12-month order.