Firearms officers were called to a Tyneside street after a stun gun was found inside a man's home.
Police had cause to search Michael Carr's address in Newbiggin Hall, Newcastle, in relation to an unrelated matter when they saw what initially appeared to be a taser lying on a table. Specialist firearms officers were called to confirm it was a weapon and to make it safe while Carr was arrested, a court was told.
In interview, the 46-year-old claimed he'd bought the gun off online site Wish thinking it was just a torch. But Carr's ignorant internet purchase has now hit him in the pocket after he appeared at Newcastle Magistrates' Court to plead guilty to possession of an electrical incapacitation device.
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Prosecutor, Claire Armstrong, said police searched Carr's home on East Thorp, Newbiggin Hall, in relation to a separate matter on February 11 this year. Miss Armstrong continued: "While in the defendant's home, they saw what appeared to be a torch taser gun on the table.
"Officers contacted the firearms team, who attended and confirmed that the item appeared to be a taser gun. They made it safe and then confiscated it. It was sent for analysis and it was confirmed it was a stun gun."
The court heard that Carr, who has 81 offences on his record, was arrested and claimed ignorance when questioned. Lewis Pearson, defending, added: "He said in interview he'd had it five or six years. He bought it from Wish. He never thought he could buy it if it was illegal. He bought it primarily because it was a torch."
Fining Carr £150 and ordering him to pay £85 costs and a £34 victim surcharge, District Judge Paul Currer said: "This is a serious offence as it is a prohibited weapon. I accept you were not aware of it being prohibited, so I can deal with you by way of a financial penalty."
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