Lout brandished gun at fast food delivery woman whilst wearing Superman onesie

Thomas Footit pointed the weapon at the shocked female as she climbed the stairs of a common close to drop off the takeaway order to his neighbours on the first floor landing.

The frightened female turned and fled out towards a waiting car while Footit, 41, repeatedly shouted on her to 'come back'.

Footit — who had armed himself with the BB handgun — later told police: "Two junkies came into the close and I went out with a plastic gun."

He is now beginning a lengthy prison sentence over the alarming late night drama at Lyle Street.

Prosecutor Claire Rowan told Greenock Sheriff Court: "The female climbed one flight of stairs and, on turning to climb the next, she has looked up and on the next landing observed the accused who was kneeling down on the common space between two flats.

"He had both arms outstretched, holding what she believed to be a black handgun which was aimed at her person.

"She also noted that the accused was wearing a Superman onesie.

"The witness was immediately placed in a state of fear."

Fiscal depute Ms Rowan added: "The witness got back into the delivery car and informed her friend of what had just happened and that she was unable to deliver the food because the male had been brandishing a gun."

Footit's neighbour came out to the car to collect her food and told how she'd earlier heard him 'shouting aggressively and incoherently'.

The woman contact the police and four officers arrived on the scene shortly before 11pm on September 7 last year.

Ms Rowan told the court: "Officers noticed that the controlled entry system was broken and the close door was wide open, allowing easy access from the street.

"The door to the address of the accused was ajar.

"Police entered and found him lying on the hall floor, next to a black plastic gun.

"It was noted that he was wearing a Superman onesie."

Ms Rowan added: "The accused was handcuffed to the rear, cautioned and he made no reply.

"A black plastic BB gun was seized.

"At Greenock police office, the accused freely stated, 'Two junkies came into the close and I went out with a plastic gun'."

BB guns are air weapons designed to shoot metallic ball projectiles, called BBs, which are around the same size as lead birdshot.

Footit pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm with intent to cause the victim to believe that unlawful violence would be used against her.

He was on bail regarding another criminal matter at the time of the offence

Defence lawyer Aidan Gallagher said: "The background report canvasses options other than a custodial sentence.

"He has a high level of anxiety at the possibility of a custodial sentence, not for himself, but is anxious to be reunited with his mother who has been diagnosed with cancer.

"The report confirms that he has had a chronic alcohol problem for 20 years, and it is a problem that has not left him."

The court heard that the writer of the report describes Footit as having a lack of empathy for the victim.

Sheriff Joseph Hughes told him: "This is the third time you have been on indictment.

"Indeed, what you subjected this individual to must have been a terrifying incident."

The sheriff sentenced him to 18 months imprisonment, backdated to September 9 last year when he was first remanded in custody.