Staff at a pizza takeaway fled in terror when they were threatened with a gun late at night, a court heard.

Karolis Ivasauskas had clashed with the manager of Pizza GoGo in Gillingham when he was told not to approach a woman while she was working there.

The 29-year-old Lithuanian left in a BMW car and returned to the Canterbury Street takeaway a few minutes later brandishing a handgun “to scare the life out of them”.

Ivasauskas, of Arden Street, Gillingham, was jailed for 16 months after admitting possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence and assault.

He was also in breach of a suspended sentence for shoplifting.

“It must have been absolutely horrific for them. He runs in and causes absolute terror to those inside" - Judge Philip Statman

Prosecutor Bridget Todd said Ivasauskas, who worked in advertising, had been “paying attention” to the female on January 27.

He went in to buy food and exchanged phone numbers with the woman.

Manager Naeem Abide went outside and told him to stop bothering her. There was a commotion and assault before Ivasauskas and a friend drove off.

“About five minutes later they returned and he went into the restaurant,” Miss Todd told Maidstone Crown Court. “He drew a black handgun from his waistband and pointed it at staff.

“Some of them ran to the back of the restaurant. He leant over the till area and pointed the gun at the remaining members of staff. He went out, got back in the car and drove off.”

Shown CCTV footage of the incident, Judge Philip Statman said: “A man goes in and is waving it about at staff.

“It must have been absolutely horrific for them. He runs in and causes absolute terror to those inside. They don’t know what is going to happen next.”

Miss Todd said Ivasauskas was tracked down through excellent detective work by officers.

“They found a Facebook photo of him holding what looks like a firearm,” she continued. “He sent text messages to the lady working in the takeaway.”

The judge said: “It is one thing to take an interest in a young girl, it is another to go in toting a gun.”

Ivasauskas had previous convictions for assaulting a police officer in 2007, breaching a community order and shoplifting.

Judge Statman told Ivasauskas: “I have had the advantage of watching CCTV footage of how you behaved. The look of fear on the faces of staff working there was clear for all to see.

“I have no doubt they were petrified. They ran to get out of the line of fire. You left the scene and as a result of some excellent police work you were traced and arrested.

“It is noteworthy this handgun remains at large.

“Those who come before the courts, given that we live at the moment in troubled times, must understand they will be sent to prison immediately whatever individualised mitigation they may have.”

Martin O’Rourke, defending, said Ivasauskas did not accept that it was a real firearm and claimed it was an imitation.

He went to the takeaway with a friend, he said, endeavouring to attract the attention of a woman working there.

“In utter stupidity he decided to go back in with a weapon to scare the life out of them,” said Mr O’Rourke.

Told that Ivasauskas claimed the gun was in the car, the judge said: “I find that difficult to accept.”

Mr O’Rourke said: “This is not a man who goes on Facebook brandishing guns. It was put on in 2011. It is a much younger photo. He was 19. He says it is a lighter.”

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