A MAN found in possession of a stun gun has been handed a suspended prison sentence.

Police found the prohibited weapon was being kept by Carl Clapperton at his home in Fairfield Road in Broughton without any legal permission.

North East Wales Magistrates Court heard that although Clapperton had not used the gun there was a battery inside it.

District judge Roger Lowe told the Mold: “I have some concerns as it was capable of being used and the police also found a collapsible baton at the same time.

“You might be someone who hoards instruments for violent purposes.

"You may have been tempted to use either of these and if you had done an immediate custodial sentence would have been imposed.

“But it was at your home and was not being used at the time.”

Clapperton, 37, pleaded guilty to possessing an electrical incapacitation weapon on December 12 without the authority of the Secretary of State.

Probation officer Andrew Connah told the court: “It was not suggested that he had ever used it (the gun).”

The district judge suspended Clapperton’s six-month prison sentence for 18 months and told him to complete 140 hours of unpaid work.

He was also ordered to pay a total of costs and surcharge to the value of £200 and a destruction order was made on the stun gun.