A recovering alcoholic who pulled guns at an AA meeting because he had been sent by God, was legally insane at the time, a judge ruled yesterday.

Provincial court Judge Judith Shrier accepted medical evidence Anthony John Allen did not appreciate the nature and quality of his actions.

Psychiatrist Dr. Kenneth Hashman testified Allen was suffering from a psychotic episode when he showed up at a Cochrane AA meeting last March.

Hashman noted Allen pulled a sawed-off shotgun and handgun and told other members "he was the new sheriff in town and God had told him to come to the meeting with guns."

"There are elements of disorganization in his thinking ... in his behaviour -- delusional ideation," the doctor said.

"Those are all indicative of him suffering from a psychotic disturbance at the time."

According to an agreed statement of facts, Allen pulled out a handgun at the meeting and told others "that it was not a fake gun ... was fully loaded and he was willing to use it."

He then pulled out a black, sawed-off, .12 gauge shotgun, a bottle of vodka and a box of shells, which fell to the floor.

Allen, who is free on bail, must appear before a provincial Review Board at Alberta Hospital in Edmonton within 45 days for disposition of his case.

Despite a request from defence lawyer Willie de Wit, Shrier refused to remove the house arrest provision of Allen's bail release.

KEVIN.MARTIN@SUNMEDIA.CA