An enraged “idiot” who waved a BB gun in the street for 40 minutes triggered a huge armed police response costing the taxpayer thousands.

Crack teams swooped on Herne Bay after Luke Burch brandished the realistic looking air pistol and told a 999 call-handler he would “cap someone”.

The 34-year-old’s bizarre outburst unfolded outside his home in Mortimer Street in April after he realised he had been burgled.

Onlookers fled as Burch wielded the black pistol, while repeatedly telling the call-handler he owned a gun and planned to kill his burglars.

His alarming behaviour caused witnesses to flee and alert the authorities.

An armed police unit and numerous police cars were scrambled to the Aldi car park near his home, where officers formulated plans for his arrest.

Burch, who has 22 previous convictions, pleaded guilty to possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence at an early opportunity.

Canterbury Crown Court heard today Burch has “significant personal difficulties,” with anger management issues and a propensity towards air guns .

Handing down a suspended sentence, Judge Rupert Lowe said he had behaved "like an idiot".

“It seems that you suffered a burglary of some sort and you were very upset about it, and very angry and unable to control your own emotions," he told Burch.

“Unfortunately your predilections for firearms had continued and also you had in your possession an air-operated BB gun, a very realistic-looking firearm,” he continued.

“And in your heightened emotional state you rang the police on 999 to complain of the burglars and armed yourself with this firearm and walked into the street, and you were around in the street for some 40 minutes.”

The judge added CCTV footage played in court did not appear to show Burch intending to put members of the public in fear of violence.

But he said the “expression of huge stress and anger” is the “sort of thing that will see him locked up”.

Supported by his care worker in court, Burch heard one eye-witness describe her fears and feeling an “urge to get away as soon as possible" after she called 999.

The court heard partially-sighted Burch had committed similar offences more than a decade ago.

He received a suspended sentence for firing ball bearings into a pub wall after being refused entry, the court heard.

He was then handed 160 days in custody for breaching the order after being found in possession of a loaded BB gun in Canterbury’s now-closed Essence Bar.

Judge Lowe told Burch’s barrister, William Saunders, he did not wish to imprison Burch immediately.

He handed Burch 18 months in custody - suspended for two years - 50 probation days and a £200 fine to be paid to Kent Police for soiling his police cell.