A MAN has appeared in court today charged with brandishing an imitation of an Israeli-made handgun in a Keighley street.

Jonathon David Warren, of Church Lane, Pudsey, made a brief appearance at Bradford and Keighley Magistrates' Court.

Dressed in a blue checked shirt, 24-year-old Warren was told that his case was not suitable to be dealt with by magistrates and will instead be heard at Bradford Crown Court.

He did not indicate a plea to the alleged offence.

The charge against Warren is that on April 7 this year, at Third Avenue in Keighley, he had in his possession a firearm, namely a Jericho 941 Israel Weapon Industries, with intent by means thereof to cause Victoria Walker to believe that unlawful violence would be used against her or another.

The alleged offence is contrary to Section 16A of and Schedule Six to the Firearms Act 1968.

Before they told Warren of his next hearing, the three-strong magistrates bench also heard that the gun Warren is accused of possessing was an imitation weapon.

The Jericho 941 gun is a double and single action semi-automatic pistol developed by Israel Weapon Industries.

One specific aspect of the pistol is that it has been imported in various countries – most notably the US – under a variety of names, other than its original one. It can shoot 9mm ammunition and has a maximum capacity of 16 rounds.

Warren will next appear at Bradford Crown Court on September 3. He was released on bail with a condition that he is not allowed to contact, directly or indirectly, by any means, Victoria Walker.