09/01/2014

Man Jailed Over Stun Gun Possession

A drug dealer who kept a stun gun at his home in Southampton has been jailed for five years.

Wesley Walters, 26, from Rampart Road, was arrested in September 2013 as part of Operation Fortress.

When detectives searched his property they found the firearm disguised as a mobile phone in the back of a drawer. The weapon is understood to have been capable of discharging 50,000 volts.

DC Simon Woods from the Operation Fortress team said: "We targeted Walters' home after he sold heroin on two occasions to an undercover officer in March.

"At court he claimed the stun gun was bought as a novelty item. He said he'd misplaced the charger and had put the weapon at the back of the drawer and hadn't used it since.

"Even so, he had access to a dangerous weapon which still held a charge and was capable of delivering a very powerful blow.

"We also found in his flat a police-style metal baton. It's unusual for a member of the public to have one in their possession but because it was in a private place, no offence was committed. It too will be securely disposed of."

On Tuesday (7 January), Walters attended Southampton Crown Court and pleaded guilty to possessing a section 5 firearm, for which he was jailed for five years, and two counts of supplying heroin, for which he was jailed for three years and six months. The sentences will run concurrently.

(JP)

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