Shrewsbury man's baton fascination leads to court fine

Thomas George Arnold imported the extendable baton on August 12 – not realising it was illegal to do so.

West Mercia Police officers were made aware of this and attended his home on September 14 to arrest him for importing a prohibited weapon.

But a court heard that Arnold became aggressive with officers when they tried to handcuff him. That day a quantity of cannabis was also found in the bedroom of his home.

Arnold, 26, of Whitehouse Gardens, Ditherington, appeared at Shrewsbury Crown Court, where he pleaded guilty to importing prohibited weapons, possession of cannabis and obstructing/resisting four police officers in the execution of their duty.

Abigail Hall, prosecuting, told the court how on August 12 UK Border Force intercepted a parcel addressed to Arnold which was found to contain a baton.

West Mercia Police contacted Arnold and attended his home but he became aggressive and resisted handcuffs.

Arnold also threatened to spit at and bite the officers, who eventually restrained him following a struggle.

Arnold was taken to the police station for interview where he told officers he had bought the baton from a website for £18.

During interview he said he was not going to take it out in public or use it for an illegal activity. The court heard how another baton was found in Arnold's bedroom but he declined to say where it was from.

The prosecutor said: "He told them he had a fascination with batons that was linked to his autism."

Arnold told officers he reacted the way he did with officers also due to his autism. He said the cannabis police found was for his own personal use.

During the hearing, the court heard how Arnold had 22 previous convictions for 40 offences, the last of which was in June 2014 when a suspended sentence was imposed on him.

Paul Nicholas, for Arnold, said his client, who lives with his mother and stepfather, was diagnosed with autism 12 months ago.

He also said his client "likes weapons" but only has a couple of batons which he does not take out of his bedroom.

Magistrates fined Arnold £120 each for importing the baton and for obstructing the officers in the execution of their duty.

He was given no separate penalty for having cannabis in his possession.