Overview

• In February, Sylvester attempted a shop break-in and indecent exposure in Telford town centre before wrapping his face and threatening officers with a paper-bag weapon he had fashioned to look like a gun.
• Misled by poor lighting, PC Dan Arthur and PC George Oliver believed the imitation firearm was real, called for backup and tackled Sylvester without injury.
• He admitted to two counts of assaulting emergency workers, possession of an imitation firearm to cause distress, possession of class A drugs and attempted burglary during his July hearing.
• On August 1, Recorder Anthony Warner sentenced him to 19 months in prison, ordering consecutive terms for the firearm and assault offences.
• Chief Inspector Matt Sanders praised the officers’ bravery and highlighted the dangers posed by imitation weapons in on-the-spot policing.