A man has been jailed for five years after intimidating youths at a children's skatepark.
Jamie Garrity brandished the weapon - classed as a firearm - at the park in Prestonpans, East Lothian, in June 2020. Prosecutors told the High Court in Edinburgh that the 35-year-old fired the device, disguised as a torch, 'between 20 to 30 times'.
Garrity, also of Prestonpans, went on to march towards a teenage boy with the nine-inch weapon. The youth then heard a 'distinctive crackling noise', which he instantly recognised as the sound of a taser being discharged.
Prosecutors told the court that Garrity was 'showing off' and trying to scare the witness, who immediately called his father. When the teenager’s dad arrived at the park, he saw the accused talking to a female and heard the taser being discharged on multiple occasions.
Officers were scrambled to the scene and later recovered the taser, which had been thrown away into a set of bushes. On investigation, the device was found to be in working order, with an audible and visible display of sparks occurring between electrodes when discharged.
It was later found that Garrity's DNA was also discovered on the gun. Garrity, who was also convicted of making a homophobic remark to a police officer, was slapped with the five-year sentence today.
Following the conviction, High Court prosecutors have warned that anybody in the possession of a stun gun runs the risk of a lengthy prison sentence. The devices, which are bought online and imported abroad, are classified in Scotland as prohibited firearms.
Ruth McQuaid, Procurator Fiscal for High Court, welcomed the sentence and said it should send out a strong public message over the use of stun guns disguised as everyday items.
She said: “It’s important that people who shop online for these items realise that, under the law, they are regarded as prohibited firearms. They are dangerous and carry a severe risk of serious injury if discharged in public places.
“This sentence reflects the gravity of the offence, and we would urge people to be aware of the legal implications of buying them. The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service will continue to apply the law in this area to ensure that communities are properly safeguarded and that individuals are kept free from potential harm.”
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