JOANNA LUMLEY - LUMLEY CONFRONTS GUNMAN

Brave British actress JOANNA LUMLEY had a terrifying encounter after she confronted a man carrying a gun. The former Avengers beauty was in a bar in Sheffield, northern England when she spotted a man, Phillip Cottam, rifling through a bag when a gas-propelled air-gun fell to the floor. Lumley approached Cottam to ask him if he was going to use the gun to "cause harm" and kept him in conversation until police officers arrived. Cottam alleged he was taking the gun to have a laser sight fitted but stopped to have a drink on the way. He was given a four month jail term last week (ends01Jun07), suspended for twelve months after admitting to having an air rifle in a public place and possessing an offensive weapon. Prosecutor Nigel Duckworth says, "One might think it quite a brave action. He told Miss Lumley he was not going to use the gun but claimed he was undercover and needed it for protection. "Miss Lumley knew police had been called and she engaged Cottam in conversation until firearms officers arrived."