A pensioner who ordered prohibited weapons online has been spared prison.
George Patrick was caught out when Border Force officials intercepted a package destined for his home which contained a stun gun disguised as a torch. When police went to his home in South Tyneside, they found he had bought two more banned weapons.
Now the 66-year-old, of Calf Close Drive, Jarrow, who set up an industrial cleaning business, has been given a community order at Newcastle Crown Court, where he appeared in a wheelchair.
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It was in June 2020 that Border Force intercepted a parcel destined for Patrick and found a weapon that looked like a torch but operated as a stun gun. He had ordered it online and it was sent from Amsterdam.
In October that year, police went to his home and found a similar prohibited weapon in his bedroom. And in the living room they found a taser with three cartridges and a charging wire.
Emma Dowling, prosecuting, said: "The defendant was interviewed and gave an account he had ordered the first item back in June. He had been told it was intercepted or would not be delivered and went on to order further items.
"He said he had an interest in police type items, that he was fascinated by the police. He said he didn't appreciate it would be brought into the UK, he thought it was a local website.
"He said he knew he should not buy a firearm but he didn't think they would be classed as a firearm. He said he kept the item in his bedroom under his pillow for defence. He also said he had various health issues."
The court heard the item under his pillow was only functioning as a torch and the stun gun aspect was not working.
He pleaded guilty to two counts of possessing a prohibited weapon and purchasing a prohibited weapon. Judge Christopher Prince sentenced him to an 18 month community order with rehabilitation.
Tony Cornberg, defending, said Patrick is a softly-spoken "emotional man" who has been anxious about the case since his arrest. He added that he is not in good health and takes 16 types of medication. Mr Cornberg said Patrick had set up an industrial cleaning business.
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