A man who imitated pulling a gun at officers on the M1 motorway in March 2023 has been jailed.
Steven Nelson, 35, was seen wandering along the M1 before aggressively meeting an officer with what was believed to be a viable firearm.
At Sheffield Crown Court on 19 October 2023, Nelson was sentenced to 12 months for firearm offences, and two months to be served consecutively for assault on an emergency worker.
He was also ordered to pay a £187 victim surcharge.
At 9am, 23 March 2023, the officer called for armed assistance after realising Nelson was not in distress but instead a danger to his safety.
The armed officers faced the same response, with Nelson pointing what is now confirmed as a piece of aluminium towards them.
Officers at the scene acted immediately and arrested Nelson, he was taken to custody where he continued to cause harm to officers by spitting and attempting to bite.
He pleaded guilty to charges of possession of an imitation firearm to cause fear of violence and assault on an emergency worker.
Chief Superintendent of the Operational Support Unit Cherie Buttle said: “This is a poignant reflection of how selfless our officers are. The officer subjected to fear was trying to provide help to a man he believed to be in crisis.
“During his interviews Nelson showed no remorse for his actions, or what his true intentions were.’’
