Father tried to sell stun gun

A FATHER from Grimsby tried to sell a high-voltage stun gun after he found it, a court heard.

Shane Woollam, 30, of Fraser Street, had tried to ditch the weapon in a litter bin in Oxford Street when police found and arrested him.

Tony Mowbray, prosecuting, told Grimsby Magistrates' Court, that officers were dispatched to the scene at about 5.15pm on June 24 after Woollam was tracked by CCTV operators.

A member of the public had called emergency services after seeing him carrying the stun gun in the street. Mr Mowbray said: "The defendant claims he found the stun gun, which resembles a torch with two metal screws out of the end of it.

"He was also carrying a three-pin shaver charger at the time of his arrest, which is assumed to have been used for recharging it."

The court heard that a firearms expert from Humberside Police had not been able to assess the weapon.

Mr Mowbray added: "The defendant claimed in interview that it did not work as a weapon but did work as a torch.

"It is sufficient for us to assume that the component parts mean it could be considered a firearm.

"It is not a typical firearm as it emitted a high voltage."

Woollam admitted possessing an electrical stun gun without the authority of the Secretary of State.

The court heard that Woollam had suffered drugs misuse issues in the past and that social services had become involved in monitoring the care of his children.

Gee Khan, mitigating, said: "He hasn't committed any similar offences, which would have been to his detriment.

"He also made full and frank admissions that he had found the stun gun and that it wasn't working as a stun gun but was working as a torch.

"He fully admits that if he had found a buyer he would have sold it.

"It is to his credit that it was not found in dangerous circumstances."

He was given a 12-month community order with a 12-month supervision requirement.

Magistrates also ordered him to complete 40 hours' unpaid work.

He must pay £85 court costs and a £60 victims' surcharge.