A BARROW man who had a stun gun disguised as an iPhone hidden on top of a Peppa Pig bookcase has been ordered to complete 100 hours of unpaid work.

Callum Teare, 24, pleaded guilty to possession of a prohibited weapon and appeared at Preston Crown Court to be sentenced.

On June 3 2018, officers from Cumbria Constabulary raided the house in Foundry Street and discovered the weapon - which had two prongs at the front.

Teare was arrested but did not answer any questions.

The stun gun was sent off for analysis and was found to have burn marks close to the prongs, suggesting it had been used in the past.

However forensic scientists were unable to discharge the weapon either before or after it was charged.

Following his plea, Teare told probation officers the weapon belonged to a friend who had brought it round to the house.

They had been having a laugh and a joke, but Teare had forgotten the stun gun was in the house.

Judge Andrew Woolman, sentencing, said: “You pleaded guilty to an offence of possession of a prohibited weapon, namely this electric stun device, which looked like a mobile phone, that was discovered at an address on June 3.

“Evidence shows at some point that stun gun was discharged but I accept not by you.

“It is of course not lethal but it can discharge a nasty electric shock which could incapacitate somebody, however even after being charged by experts they couldn’t make it work.”

The court heard Teare had only one previous conviction and despite difficulties with autism and ADHD would be able to undertake unpaid work.

The judge said: “I note your problems and I hope they are able to find you suitable work.”

The judge handed Teare a 12 month community order, and ordered him to pay a statutory surcharge.

He also made an order for the stun gun to be forfeited and destroyed.