A Blantyre man claimed he armed himself with an illegal pepper spray after intruders nearly killed him in the dead of night.
When police officers seized the can, Craig Simpson said 'I got assaulted with a sword and you're telling me I can't buy that off eBay so I can protect myself in my own home?'
Simpson, of Calder Streeet, appeared at Hamilton Sheriff Court on Friday.
The 42-year-old admitted breaching the Firearms Act by possessing a canister containing the irritant capsaicin at his then home in Nursery Place on February 4.
The court heard police and paramedics went to the house because of concerns about Simpson.
Police officers spotted a container of 'Commander Strong' pepper spray among cans of deodorant and other items on top of a chest of drawers.
When challenged about what is classed as a prohibited weapon, Simpson replied 'I got sprayed by pepper spray myself while me and my partner were sleeping.
'Somebody broke in through the window at half past three in the morning.
'They gave me multiple fractures to the skull. I had bleeding to the brain and have a brain injury.
'I have PTSD. The CID are looking into it. I'm in fear for my life.'
Sheriff Colin Dunipace deferred sentence on Simpson until next month for a criminal justice social work report and an electronic tagging assessment.
He was allowed to remain on bail.
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