A MAN accused of brandishing a sawn-off shotgun at two officers during a police chase has made his first appearance in court.

Owen Parker, 24, is charged with the possession of a firearm, namely a single-barrel 12 gauge shotgun, with the intent to cause fear of violence, and dangerous driving.

The charges relate to an incident in the Lower Grange area of Bradford on August 29.

Parker, who told the court he had no current fixed address, was arrested by armed police officers at the Flappit pub, at Flappit Springs, Cullingworth, at 7pm on Monday.

He appeared from custody for the brief hearing at Bradford and Keighley Magistrates’ Court yesterday.

No formal pleas to the charges were entered, but his solicitor, Saf Salam, said his client was denying any involvement in the alleged offences.

Prosecutor Linda Fowler told the court that both charges were linked, and applied for them to be heard at Bradford Crown Court.

She said police had been called to Hill Top Lane in Allerton, Bradford, at around 22.45pm on the date of the alleged offences after calls were received that the driver of a black Volvo was in drink.

The sole male driver is then said to have driven the car in a dangerous manner in Hill Top Lane, Allerton Road, and Cote Lane, during a police pursuit.

Mr Salem asked that Parker be granted bail as there was no evidence he posed a “substantial” risk of further offending.

Chairman of the bench Elizabeth Bourgeois granted bail on the conditions that Parker resided at a friend’s address on Low House Close, Cleckheaton, and was monitored by an electronic curfew from 7pm to 7am.

He is due to appear at Bradford Crown Court on October 5.