A Lithuanian man who went 'looking for women' in a city centre pulled a gun on two men who failed to tell him where he could find what he wanted, a court heard yesterday.

Audrius Truskauskas, 28, of Broad Street, Swindon, was sentenced to two years imprisonment at Gloucester crown court after he admitted two charges of possession of an imitation firearm, a 4.5mm air pistol, with intent to cause fear of violence on 31st March this year.

Prosecuting, Janine Wood said the incident happened around 9:30pm on 31st March in Charles Street Gloucester, when he approached a man asking "where he could find girls."

"The man said he knew nothing about that," said Mrs Wood.

"Mr Truskauskas drew an air pistol from his pocket and pointed it at the man. They struggled and the man pushed the defendant away before fleeing to a nearby Tesco store. The man said he was scared and believed he was going to be shot.

"The second incident happened around 9:40pm at a Polish shop on Barton Street. The defendant approached the shop with another male.

"He walked up to the man in the shop and said 'where are all the bitches' and also suggested he was looking to buy weed.

"The man asked to be left alone but the defendant became angry and said he had a gun. He pulled the handgun from behind his back and pointed it at the man's face. The defendant was heard to say 'I will kill you.'"

Defending Truskauskas, Steve Young said his client found the air pistol amongst items brought into a shop where he currently works.

"He took the pistol out to show a friend. On that day he went out and drank a lot of vodka with his father in law. He doesn't drink often but says when he does he drinks to excess.

"He has no recollection of what he said or indeed why he committed the offences because of his level of intoxication."

Mr Young said his client is a happily married family man with three children. His wife and children still live in Lithuania.

"He is a devoted family man and his main concern is the effect his actions have had on his family.

"They rely on his income plus child benefits and a custodial sentence will have a detrimental impact on his family."

Sentencing Judge Michael Cullum said the two victims "must have thought they were going to die."

"You were hopelessly drunk and had what looked like a lethal hand gun which you held towards the heads of your victims and threatened to shoot them.

"The victims displayed bravery, both managed to wrestle you away and the second time the gun was taken.

"Both occasions you held the gun to their head.

"I am satisfied that the only appropriate punishment is immediate custody" Judge Cullum told Truskauskas before sentencing him to two years imprisonment.

The court heard that the defendant faces deportation back to Lithuania when he is released from his sentence.