Zizzi chef, 21, is jailed for five months after being caught carrying a fake gun near Buckingham Palace

• Narcis Brinzei, 21, and an unknown accomplice wore crash helmets to hide faces
• The pair were approached by police as they walked down Park Lane on 13 March
• They found what was later confirmed as an imitation BB gun in Brinzei’s jacket
• Brinzei admitted possession of imitation firearm and was jailed for five months 

A Zizzi chef was jailed for five months after being caught carrying a fake gun near Buckingham Palace.

Narcis Brinzei, 21, and an unknown accomplice wore crash helmets to hide their faces as they walked down Park Lane on 13 March.

The pair roused the suspicions of nearby police who approached them and asked Brinzei to take his hand out of his pocket.

Narcis Brinzei, pictured, 21, was jailed for five months after being caught by police with an imitation BB gun while walking down Park Lane, near Buckingham Palace, on 13 March

He tightened his grip on the weapon before officers drew their tasers and carried out a stop and search.

They found a metallic gun hidden in his jacket which they later confirmed was an imitation BB gun.

Brinzei, from Hanwell, Ealing, appeared via video-link from HMP Wandsworth and told the court he worked as a chef at the Westfield branch of Italian chain restaurant Zizzi.

He claimed he had been told to carry the gun by his friend and was ‘scared’ to refuse.

Prosecutor Jason Seetal said: ‘On 13 March just before 9pm officers while driving along Park Lane saw the defendant and another man.

‘Officers tried to speak to them due to the fact they were wearing motorcycle helmets but had no motorcycle in sight so when they’d gone to speak to the defendant one officer was given instructions for them to stop and show their hands.

‘Officers noted while the young man complied, the defendant seemed reluctant to take his hand out of his jacket pocket. They managed to detain the defendant at which point he removed his hand.

‘They carried out a search and the officer who detained him noted that within the jacket pocket there appeared to be something large and heavy.

Brinzei, from Hanwell, Ealing, told the court via video-link that he worked as a chef at the Westfield branch of Italian chain restaurant Zizzi (file photo)

‘He reached into that pocket he felt a metallic item which appeared to be a dark black coloured handgun. He was arrested and transported to custody. He is of previous good character.’

The Romanian chef, representing himself, said: ‘I don’t know what I’m supposed to say. He gave me the gun to handle it and he asked me to take care of it and to carry it. 

‘He asked me to put it in my pocket for no one to see. I was scared to say no.

‘I didn’t want it, that’s why I didn’t run from police.’

District Judge Sam Goozee said imitation guns were carried only to ‘frighten and intimidate people.’

The judge said: ‘Albeit this was an unloaded firearm and an imitation firearm and the risk to life is absent, such weapons are carried in order to frighten and intimidate people.

‘There can be no other purpose. What is of particular concern is the circumstances in which you were found, faces concealed and at the time of the offence you were under investigation for serious drugs offences.

‘I do take into account your age and the fact you have no previous convictions but this type of offence is so serious that only custody can be justified.

‘Your sentence has been reduced to reflect your early guilty plea.’

Brinzei admitted possession of an imitation firearm and was handed a five-month prison sentence.

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