An 18-year-old man has been sentenced to six months in a young offender’s institution after threatening two men with an imitation pistol.

Muzi Mguni, from Crawley, pleaded guilty to possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear after the attack on Epsom High Street on June 8.

The two men were walking to catch a taxi shortly before 1am, when Mguni stopped to ask them directions.

At first appearing to follow their directions, Mguni then pulled out an imitation gun and allegedly hit one of the men with it before grabbing him and holding the gun to his throat.

The other man, John Arthur from Worcester Park, grabbed Mguni in an attempt to detain him, but he was able to run off.

He said: “He hit him round the face with it and put it under his chin.

“Immediately I wanted to help my friend but he had the gun under his throat and I didn’t want to jump on him and for him to pull the trigger.

“I waited and then my friend screamed out for help so I grabbed his arm and put him in an arm lock and got him onto the ground but he ran off.”

The men were seen by paramedics and the 42-year-old victim received hospital treatment for minor facial injuries.

Mguni was sentenced at Guildford Crown Court on Friday, September 23.

Another charge of assault by beating, to which Mguni pleaded not guilty, was ordered to lie on file.