'Angry, unpredictable and abusive' Sunderland mum loses appeal against fake firearm jail term

Melain Brass – described as “angry and unpredictable and abusive” during the incident – was locked up for 15 months last month after admitting possessing an imitation weapon earlier this year at her Sunderland home.

She quickly launched an appeal against the jail term with the case heard at London’s Court of Appeal on Tuesday.

But the 43-year-old’s bid was rejected with a full judgement expected to be published shortly.

Newcastle Crown Court was told at her sentencing hearing in August how one of the two social workers involved was “entirely terrified” when Brass ran towards her with what the judge, Mr Recorder Chris Smith, described as a “realistic imitation firearm”.

The court learned that the terrified woman suffered nightmares, needed to take weeks off work, undertook counselling and has since had to change jobs.

Judge Smith added: "There was a significant and, even now, lasting effect of what you did that day.

"The reality is you intended to cause fear of violence and you did cause real fear of violence."

August’s case heard that the second social worker who attended Brass’s house knew her well and was not scared by her actions.

The court was also told that Brass, of Darwin Street, Southwick, was “vulnerable” with a report submitted on her behalf by a mental health worker.

Passing sentence, Judge Smith said: "I bear the contents of those reports very much in mind in this case.

"But the message has to go out that people who threaten others, particularly public servants, with imitation firearms, have to expect a custodial sentence.

"In my judgement this is so serious only custody can be justified.

"I'm afraid in your case I take the view appropriate punishment can only be achieved by the imposition of an immediate custodial sentence."

Brass was said to be “angry and unpredictable and abusive” when the social workers visited her home at around 10am on April 16.

Newcastle Crown Court heard she threatened to kill herself before running to another address to obtain two items and combining them to make the imitation firearm.

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