**Man Jailed After Brandishing Weapon at Teens in Tonypandy McDonald’s**
A man who shocked diners and staff by brandishing an imitation firearm inside a Tonypandy McDonald’s was today jailed for a series of weapons offences, following an incident which later saw him threaten a police officer with the same gun.
Jacob Jenkins, 29, entered the fast food restaurant on May 2 wearing a stab-proof vest concealed beneath his coat. His unusual attire and behaviour quickly drew the attention of several teenagers dining at the venue. According to witnesses, Jenkins stared at the group, prompting one to ask if he was a police officer. He responded by claiming he was “marines,” before revealing he was carrying a gun.
The confrontation left the teenagers alarmed. Demonstrating presence of mind, the group swiftly exited the restaurant and rang police, helping to prevent what could have escalated into a far more dangerous situation.
Shortly thereafter, officers located Jenkins on Gelli Road, not far from the initial incident. However, attempts to approach him resulted in a further escalation: Jenkins brandished the weapon once more, this time directly at a police officer. He then fled the scene on foot, discarding his coat as he made for a nearby construction site.
The area was soon swarming with police, with a dog handler deployed to aid in the search. Officers quickly found Jenkins leaving the construction site, and arrested him at the scene. A thorough sweep of the premises soon uncovered his discarded coat. Hidden under pallets nearby were two gas-powered ball-bearing (BB) guns—imitation firearms which are often indistinguishable from real weapons at a glance.
Further investigations were conducted at the address where Jenkins had been residing. There, officers recovered another stab-proof vest, along with a container of BB pellets, underlining the seriousness of the situation and the threat posed.
Appearing at Cardiff Crown Court on 4 August, Jenkins pleaded guilty to possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, having an imitation firearm in a public place, and two counts of possessing a bladed article. The court heard how both the victims and the responding officer were left deeply shaken by the events.
Judge and prosecution alike underlined the distress caused by Jenkins’ actions. Detective Constable Sarah Griffiths of South Wales Police stated: “This incident was extremely frightening for everyone involved—from the young people who should have felt safe in a public space, to the police officer confronted with a gun at close range. It highlights how imitation weapons, often thought of as harmless, can be highly dangerous if misused.”
Jenkins received a prison sentence totalling four years and one month, with an additional extended period of supervision after release. Police stressed that the rapid actions of the teenagers in contacting authorities played a crucial role in ensuring the matter was contained without serious injury.
The incident has prompted renewed calls from the police for public vigilance. As part of the force’s ongoing ‘In The Wrong Hands’ campaign, there are appeals for the public to report any suspicious behaviour or concerns about weapons promptly. The case also demonstrates the difficult and sometimes dangerous work carried out by frontline officers in dealing with potentially lethal situations.
Det. Constable Griffiths expressed gratitude towards the young witnesses: “Their quick-thinking meant we were able to respond swiftly, seize the weapons, and bring Jenkins before the courts. I hope today’s outcome brings some reassurance to those involved and to the wider Tonypandy community, who were understandably alarmed.”
Incidents such as this bring home the need for ongoing cooperation between the public and police to prevent similar occurrences, and ensure that Wales’ town centres remain safe environments for all.