A man pulled a gun on a police community support officer (PCSO) and ordered her to "freeze" as she responded to reports of a shoplifter, a court heard.
It was only once the female officer had grabbed the weapon from Stuart Boswick that she discovered it was a toy gun.
Colchester magistrates heard the PCSO and a colleague were on their way to JJB Sports, in Colchester, when they approached three men standing outside Marks & Spencer in the High Street on November 29.
The officers were forced to go either side of the group to get past, at which point Boswick pointed the gun at one of them.
In interview, jobless Boswick told police he had been drinking for most of the afternoon and pointed the toy gun at the officer "as a joke".
He has previous convictions for robbery and possessing a bladed article.
The 24-year-old yesterday admitted a charge of using threatening behaviour.
Elizabeth Bradshaw, mitigating, told the bench Boswick, of Sweet Briar Road, Stanway, was immediately apologetic for his "thoughtless" actions.
He was ordered to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work and pay the officer £50 compensation.
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