A number of people were leaving the mosque at the time of the incident
Chris Beya(Image: Merseyside Police)
A man who was seen to pull out what appeared to be a firearm outside a mosque has been jailed. Liverpool Crown Court heard today, July 10, two men on bikes were seen to ride onto Hatherley Street from Mulgrave Road, Toxteth, as a number of people were coming out of Al Rahma mosque following afternoon prayers.
One of the men on the bikes, now known to be 23-year-old Chris Beya, was seen to get off his bike and run at two other men who escaped inside the mosque.
When Beya got to the front of the building, he pulled out what appeared to be a firearm and then walked away.
A firearm has never been recovered, but an investigation found Beya was the man involved in the incident and he was arrested and subsequently charged.
Merseyside Police scene outside Al-Rahma mosque(Image: Liverpool Echo)
Beya, of Gwendoline Street, in Toxteth, pleaded guilty to being in possession of an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence. He was jailed for three years.
Following sentencing, Detective Inspector John Mullen said: “This was a serious offence that caused a lot of concern in the community at the time. Following a thorough investigation, we were able to provide enough evidence that Beya had no choice but to admit he was the man involved.
“We take all reports concerning firearms extremely seriously and I hope the sentencing of Beya offers reassurance that we are relentless in our pursuit of those involved in gun crime.
“To the untrained eye, an imitation firearm can cause fear and harm to people who wouldn’t know the difference between them or a more dangerous weapon if confronted with one.
“We rely on information given to us by the public and this makes a huge difference in identifying suspects, seizing weapons and removing suspects who would bring weapons onto our streets.
“It is vital that members of our communities come forward with information so we can make our communities safer for the decent, law-abiding people who live in areas affected by gun crime.
“Where people are willing to support the police, we will ensure every possible avenue is progressed to them.
“And if you don’t feel comfortable coming directly to the police call the independent, anonymous, Crimestoppers hotline on 0800 555 111, we need to know who is involved in gun crime and where those guns are being stored.”