A MAN could not account for how a stun gun came to be found at his home by police when they uncovered a domestic cannabis farm at the property.

Brian Speight is to stand trial over possession of the prohibited weapon, recovered by officers searching at his Bishop Auckland address, on Friday October 7 last year.

Durham Crown Court heard that 39 cannabis plants and associated growing equipment were also found by police, upstairs in the premises, in Tivoli Place.

Various small amounts of cannabis in the form of cuttings, were found round the rest of the house, as well as the stun gun.

Appearing at a plea hearing in the case, the 37-year-old defendant admitted producing the class B drug, but denied further charges of possessing a quantity of cannabis with intent to supply and possessing a prohibited weapon.

His barrister, John Turner, said his client would say the cannabis was grown for personal use, while he was unaware of the presence of the stun gun, but he was often visited at home by friends and old school mates.

Judge Christopher Prince said the stun gun allegation should be heard by a jury, while he, or another judge, could resolve the status of the cannabis grow, at a trial of issue.

The case was adjourned for the trial over the possession of the incapacitating weapon, to be followed by the trial of issue over the cannabis production.

Judge Prince bailed the defendant to return for the trial, in the week of Tuesday May 30.