Man jailed after pulling gun out after being asked to leave pub in Folkstone

Angered that he’d been told to leave a pub in Folkestone, Andrew Maloney returned to the premises and pointed what looked like a gun at one of the doormen. On Saturday 19 January 2019 during the early hours of the morning Maloney, 51, was asked to leave the bar in Harbour Street. He returned several minutes later, and pushed his face up against the glass door. The victim instantly identified Maloney as the man he had already asked to leave and Maloney pushed open the door. The victim had concerns Maloney was now carrying a weapon due to his demeanour and the way in which he was hunched over with his hands in his pocket. The man was able to get Maloney back outside when he pulled out what looked like a firearm from his waistband, pointed it at him and pulled the trigger several times. No bullets were fired and no injuries were caused to the victim who quickly secured the door and reported the matter instantly to his manager and Kent Police. Before Maloney left the area he pointed the weapon at a second man who was watching him through one of the pub windows. He then jumped into a car and was driven away. Firearms officers carried out an extensive search for the suspect but he couldn’t be found and no weapon was recovered. An investigation was launched, which included the review of CCTV and the suspect was identified as Maloney. Officers tracked him down in London on Sunday 27 January 2019 where he was arrested by firearms officers. Maloney from The Derings in Lydd initially denied any wrongdoing but later admitted the man on CCTV was him and that the weapon was a starter pistol. He pleaded guilty to two counts of possession of an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear or violence and was sentenced to 19 months in prison at Canterbury Crown Court on Wednesday 5 June 2019. Investigating officer DC Kay Brown said: ‘Luckily no one was hurt that day but Maloney’s actions caused the victims to fear for their lives. Kent Police has a zero-tolerance approach to firearms-related offences and will take robust action against anyone found responsible to ensure they are charged and put before the courts.