Published: Tuesday, 6th May, 2008 15:15
"NAIVE" YOUTH HAD TASER GUN IN CAR
By Court Reporter
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A “NAIVE” teenager who bought a taser gun home from a holiday abroad claims he was stunned to find out it was an illegal weapon.
John Murphy had the gun in his car which was discovered after police pulled him over on another matter.
They had searched the car after smelling cannabis.
He told them he had brought the gun back from Turkey and claimed he did not know it was an offence to have it, Dumbarton Sheriff Court heard last week.
Rhona Baird, fiscal depute, said officers came across the [stun gun] in the driver’s footwell and it was in working order.
The first time offender admitted being in possession of the stun gun on Renton Road on October 22 last year.
His lawyer said it was a “fairly spectacular” way to make his debut in court and was now unemployed.
He said: “He told police he didn’t think [the stun gun] was illegal and got it through airport security no problem.
“There is nothing to suggest he is the type of young man who would use it.”
The court also heard last week that Murphy had admitted breaching the peace after a work’s night out on January 14 this year.
The 19-year-old had been on the night out and got a taxi home from Desire nightclub in Balloch to Dumbarton with friends.
But when the taxi driver got to Bonhill Bridge he was forced to pull over as he was worried because Murphy was arguing with his friends who were also in the cab.
When the cabbie came to a stop Murphy turned his anger towards him.
Sheriff Mhairi McTaggart said she would have been sending Murphy to prison over the stun gun charges had it not been for his age and the fact it was a first offence.
Murphy of 28 Bontine Avenue, Brucehill, was ordered to carry out 180 hours of community service.
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