A man had an imitation firearm at a sheltered accommodation block in Ludlow and was threatening to kill himself, a court heard.

When police arrived at Ludlow Foyer in March 21-year-old Stefan Jones was saying he felt suicidal and had a number of weapons.

At Shrewsbury Crown Court last week Jones was given a 12-month community order with a rehabilitation requirement.

Judge Jim Tindal said a security guard at the block had acted “magnificently" in handling the situation.

"The only person being threatened was yourself. You were in a desperate state," he told Jones.

At an earlier hearing Jones had admitted possession of an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear or violence and having a knife as an offensive weapon.

Mr Kevin Jones, prosecuting, said the defendant lives at the sheltered accommodation in Ludlow and a security officer had responded to concerns about Jones who had said he felt suicidal.

He said that the defendant was carrying a knife, an axe, a BB pistol loaded with plastic pellets and the imitation firearm.

Mr Peter Gilmour, for Jones, said his client had been getting support and had involved in a number of courses and voluntary sessions.