A MAN who fooled a police sergeant into believing that a TV remote control was a gun is likely to be sent to a psychiatric unit, York Crown Court heard.

Melville Robin Akers, 54, of Haxby Road, York, pleaded guilty to possessing an imitation firearm with intent to make the police officer fear that violence would be used.

The charge related to an incident in July involving a remote control in which Akers pretended that he had a firearm.

Prosecuting, Helen Wheatley, said: “From the way the defendant was holding the item and the fact that the item was partially covered and obscured and the gestures the defendant was making at the time, the police officer had a genuine belief .... that that is what the defendant had.”

Judge Guy Whitburn QC said after reading two psychiatric reports on Akers: “The sooner he is in hospital, the better.”

Mark Thompson, defending, asked for the case to be adjourned for a week so that doctors could carry out an assessment that would open the way for a court to make an order confining Akers to a psychiatric unit for a detailed assessment.

The judge adjourned the case until Monday, when the hospital order is expected to be made.