A HELENSBURGH man was caught trying to import two lethal Taser guns into the UK from Vietnam after buying them online.

Ross Malcolm was slammed by a sheriff for his “gross stupidity” when he appeared in court last week.

The 25-year-old, of Old Luss Road, committed the offence at his home on June 8 last year.

He pleaded guilty at Dumbarton Sheriff Court to a charge of “being concerned in an attempt at evasion of the prohibitation on importation of goods under the Firearms Act”.

Malcolm admitted trying to import two Taser-style weapons from south-east Asia in breach of the Customs and Excise Management Act.

Malcolm was also on bail at the time of the offence; he had been released on bail from Falkirk Sheriff Court on March 19.

Fiscal depute Kevin Doherty, prosecuting, told the court: “The Tasers originated from Laos in Vietnam.

“Police acting on information obtained a search warrant, and on June 8, arrived at his house and a search was carried out, finding evidence of the order being placed.”

Malcolm’s lawyer said: “He bought them online from a web site and paid £13 each for them and £12 for shipping. It was an act of stupidity on his part.”

Sheriff Maxwell Hendry told Malcolm: “You knew what you were doing. This was gross stupidity. It is very worrying.”

Sentence was deferred until March 14, with the sheriff calling for a full social background report and an assesment for a ‘restriction of liberty order’ assessment.

Bail was continued.