Man caught with stun gun disguised as torch
A man who was stopped by police in the early hours of the morning had a stun gun disguised as a torch, a court heard.
Keith Grogan had bought the LED torch which doubled up as a stun gun off a website based in China.
He was stopped by police in Newtown in the early hours of May 22 while using the item as a torch to help friends who were dismantling a shed, magistrates were told.
The officers searched Grogan and found the stun gun, which makes a "loud crack" and has a bolt of electricity moving between two points when set off.
Grogan appeared for trial at Welshpool Magistrates Court yesterday, but changed his plea to guilty.
He admitted possessing a weapon for the discharge of an electrical incapacitation device.
He also admitted a charge of possessing a firearm when prohibited for life.
Mr Kevin Challoner, prosecuting, said the device was bought online for £15.
He said: "When it was taken by officers it was sent to experts who found it made a loud crack when turned on and a charge of electricity would move between two prongs.
"He was using it as a torch when officers approached."
Mr Phil Sherrard, for Challoner, said that while the item was described as a "stun gun" or "taser" it was not in the shape of a gun and did not have a barrel.
Mr Sherrard added: "It had been tested by my client on himself and it was a light jolt such as when touching an electric fence."
Magistrates will sentence Grogan at the conclusion of other matters against him.
