A Dalry man has been jailed after admitting the possession of a stun gun that he bought on the internet.

A court heard Derek McKerrell, 36, of Wingate Avenue, had even tested the stun gun on his dad’s leg “and thought it was okay”.

He appeared for sentencing at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court last week after reports were called for and the court heard how the stun gun was never meant to be used, it was to be a collectable.  Neil McPherson, defending, said: “My client never had it out of the house, nor was it ever going to be.  It was never going to be used aggressively or defensively, it was purely a novelty.” Mr McPherson said his client was apologetic. He said that McKerrell wanted an opportunity to move away from offending and that the flavour of the social work report was for a community payback order to be imposed but it would have to be at the higher end.  Sheriff McDonald asked why it was described as a collectable when he had tried it out.  Mr McPherson said: “In respect of the taser, he tried it out on his father’s leg and his own and thought it was OK.  It is in the category of those items when people go on holiday and come back with a novelty item.

“There’s a distinct lack of samurai warriors in Scotland but there is an inordinate amount of their swords in living rooms in this country.” Sheriff McDonald interrupted by saying: “He ordered it from the internet and I’m not sure why. Why would have a stun gun as a novelty?

“You can buy almost anything on the internet these days, you could probably buy a nuclear bomb.

“It can kill you if you have a heart condition, that’s why police are reluctant to use them in this country.” Neil McPherson said: “It’s not my idea of fun but it could be seen as a joke.” Sheriff McDonald said: “Mr McPherson has made an impassioned plea on your behalf, you see this as a novelty, a bit of a laugh.

“This falls under the firearms act. The very fact you had it – given your record –although it shows no analogous convictions, it shows assaults, breaches and drug offences. A custodial sentence is appropriate.” McKerrell was also charged with possession of cannabis, possession of diazepam and failing to disclose the possession of a sewing needle in his wallet to police officers.  He was sentenced to six months imprisonment on the stun gun charge and fined for the other three offences and will serve the alternative of 21 days in total for the three charges after no time to pay was sought.

For the full story see this week's Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald.