VIDEO: Masked prankster with stun gun sends 'terrified' trick or treaters fleeing

Bradford Crown Court was yesterday shown a video of Faisal Hussain pulling on a balaclava, going to his door and pointing the weapon towards the frightened youngsters.

The court heard Hussain had made the film and put it on his Facebook page.

Images from a DVD from police taken from the Facebook page of Faisal Hussain where he greets trick or treat children in a Balaclava and holding a stun gun

Judge Peter Hunt was told that the children were not hurt and Hussain had not intended to harm them.

But the judge told him he had “frightened the living daylights out of them.”

Prosecutor Kirsten Mercer said that police looked on Hussain’s Facebook page after receiving an anonymous call. He is seen on the video to put the balaclava over his head, declare that the trick or treaters had “come to the wrong house,” before running to the door with the stun gun and activating it.

Miss Mercer said the stun gun, which also doubled as a torch, made a noise and an electric current could be seen. A number of children screamed and ran away.

Hussain, 26, of Toller Lane, Bradford, pleaded guilty yesterday to possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence and possessing a prohibited weapon, on October 31 last year.

Officers attended his address and the stun gun was examined by a forensic scientist specialising in firearms, who confirmed it was a prohibited weapon.

Images from a DVD from police taken from the Facebook page of Faisal Hussain where he greets trick or treat children in a Balaclava and holding a stun gun

Hussain told officers a friend had brought the stun gun back from a holiday in Turkey and they had “tasered” each other with it. He said he was playing a prank on the children and did not realise the seriousness of the situation. When they knocked on the door, he told them to wait, put on the balaclava and ran out with the taser. He said it made a scary buzzing noise and filming it was part of the prank.

The court heard the stun gun could give a small electric shock, and was capable of causing pain, but not serious injury.

Hussain’s barrister, Jeremy Hill-Baker, said his client did not intend to cause injury and there was no contact with the children.

He said: “It was foolhardy and frightening behaviour by a man who ought to have known better, in the peculiar circumstances of Halloween.”

Mr Hill-Baker said it was likely the incident would not have come to light if his client had not put it on Facebook. He was very sorry for his behaviour.

Judge Hunt said it was an “act of supreme folly.”

He said he was not entirely satisfied Hussain’s motive was merely a prank. But he did not point the stun gun at the youngsters and did not intend to cause them physical harm.

Hussain was sentenced to a 12-month community order and ordered to carry out 180 hours of unpaid community work.

Judge Hunt ordered the forfeiture and destruction of the weapon.