Man sentenced after waving imitation firearm and causing fear to the Jewish community in Salford

A man who invoked fear to the Jewish community in Salford by deliberately driving slowly while waving an imitation firearm out of the window of his car, has been sentenced.

Julius Goncarukas, 42, was given 16 months in prison, suspended for 18 months, after admitting to possessing an imitation forearm with intent to cause fear of violence. The sentence included a uplift to mark the hate element.

He was also ordered to complete 15 days of rehabilitation and given an alcohol monitoring order for 90 days.

Daniya Alvi, Senior Crown Prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service in the North West, said: “Julius Goncarukas intended to cause fear when he waved an imitation firearm in Salford in front of residents, including children.

“Whilst Goncarukas claimed his actions were not fuelled by hate, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) viewed it otherwise. Determined that he would face the full weight of the law for his actions, the CPS refused to accept his claims and asked the judge to rule on the hate element as well.

“On the sentence date, Goncarukas abandoned his basis and accepted the CPS’s contention that the offence was fuelled by hate and his sentence was uplifted to reflect that.

“There is no place for hate in our society, and the CPS will continue to work closely with our partners to bring perpetrators to justice.”

On 2 August 2025, around midday, children were playing in Welbeck Grove in Salford, and adults were going about their lawful business when they saw Julius Goncarukas, drive down their street waving a gun out of the driver’s window.

Some ran away from the car in fear, and the police received four calls reporting the incident. One young boy was described as crying hysterically when he ran inside, having seen the man with the gun.

Goncarukas was arrested shortly after, stood near his car and the gun was recovered from the passenger seat of his car.

He made no comment in his police interview but later admitted he had waved the imitation firearm, which was later confirmed to be a gas-powered BB gun, out of the window of his car.