Jack Pullen phoned 999 on September 7 last year to say he was at Plumstead Cemetery armed with a gun, Woolwich Crown Court heard on Monday (February 24).
When armed police arrived at the scene they saw that the 31-year-old was holding a weapon to his own head, he then threatened to kill himself if his ex-partner was not brought to the scene.
During the six-hour stand-off with armed police Pullen drank vodka and used nitrous oxide.
Whilst the gun was primarily pointed at himself, at times it was raised towards the officers.
Eventually police took the decision to fire a rubber baton round at Pullen’s torso, causing him to fall to the ground and drop the gun.
He was then tasered and taken to hospital.
When interviewed by police Pullen said he was suicidal and had faced the gun towards officers in the hope they would shoot him.
Pullen had done the same thing in May 2021, going to Plumstead Cemetery with an air rifle that time.
On that occasion it was deemed not in the public interest to prosecute Pullen as he was instead sectioned.
But this time he was charged and pleaded guilty to possession of an imitation firearm.
In his defence, the court heard he had lost his mum at the age of eight and later developed drink and drug issues.
He has been remanded in prison since the incident where he has tackled those substance abuse issues.
Pullen expressed his remorse for his behaviour.
“They were taking a risk in the approach they took that day, although no doubt a calculated one.
“The simple point is they could have killed you. It is fortunate the officers took the action they did, in firing a non-lethal round to incapacitate you.”
Judge Grout sentenced Pullen to four months in custody.
The effect of the sentence is that Pullen will be released from prison immediately on licence, having already served that time on remand.
