A man who drove slowly through a Salford street while waving an imitation firearm, causing fear among members of the Jewish community, has been given a suspended prison sentence.
Julius Goncarukas, 42, was sentenced to 16 months in prison, suspended for 18 months, after admitting possession of an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.
The court applied an uplift to the sentence to reflect the hate element of the offence.
Goncarukas was also ordered to complete 15 days of rehabilitation activity and made subject to an alcohol monitoring order for 90 days.
The incident took place at around midday on 2 August 2025 on Welbeck Grove in Salford.
Children were playing outside and residents were going about their day when Goncarukas drove down the street waving what appeared to be a gun from the driver’s window of his car.
Some residents ran away in fear and police received four reports about the incident. One young boy was described as crying hysterically after running inside having seen the weapon.
Officers arrested Goncarukas shortly afterwards. He was found standing near his car and the imitation firearm was recovered from the passenger seat.
During police interview he made no comment, but later admitted waving the weapon. It was confirmed to be a gas powered BB gun.
Daniya Alvi, senior crown prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service in the North West, said the defendant intended to cause fear when he waved the imitation firearm in front of residents, including children.
She said that although Goncarukas initially claimed his actions were not motivated by hate, prosecutors challenged that account and asked the judge to rule on the hate element.
On the day of sentencing, he accepted that the offence was fuelled by hate and his sentence was increased to reflect that.
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