Telford heroin addict locked up for stun gun

Adam Jones, 46, of Farm Lodge Grove, Malinslee, was sentenced to a prison term at Shrewsbury Crown Court. Jones claimed he thought the weapon was a 'toy' after finding it in a car park near his home sometime between July 26 and August 3 last year.

Mr Robert Edwards, prosecuting, said the stun gun had been discovered by police searching Jones' property on August 3.

He said:"Officers found the silver Nokia mobile phone in a side table and became suspicious."

The device was sent away for analysis and officers later confirmed it was in fact a KK95 electric stun device.

Mr Edwards added that the weapon was not workable without a charger and that no charger had been found at Jones' property.

Mr James Dixon, defending, argued recovering heroin addict Jones had not known what the device was when he picked it up.

He said his client had already begun steps to enter rehab for his addiction before finding the device - and had been away from his home receiving detox treatment when police discovered the stun gun

"He may have been many things in his life but he has never engaged in that sort of criminality. There was no propensity at all to use the firearm.

"This is a case of innocent possession, he would never have jeopardised his position by taking into his possession an item that is regarding in the way it is by the law."

Judge Robin Onions noted Jones' previous convictions, which included possession of offensive weapons. He said: "He knew the device wasn't a mobile phone, as soon as you see the two electrodes you know exactly what it is."

But he ruled the case had 'exceptional circumstances' and reduced the mandatory five year sentence.