A TEENAGER caught with a Taser gun on business premises has been locked up for nine months.

Michael Dalkin claimed in court that he carries the weapon because he was badly beaten up a year ago.

The 18-year-old threatened a businessman and security guard with it after he and two friends were prowling around Tofts Farm Industrial Estate in Hartlepool in May.

Dalkin's pals ran off, but because of a heart condition, the teenager was not as mobile, tried to climb a fence, but fell and banged his head.

Teesside Crown Court heard that he was detained until police arrived, but pointed the gun at the two men - before it was kicked from his grip.

He initially told police he had been on the site to relieve himself, and it was one of his two chasers who had the weapon.

Judge Tony Briggs described his account as "ludicrous" but accept he had medical vulnerabilities and thought he needed to protect himself.

Stephen Constantine, mitigating, said Dalkin had been near the industrial estate because his aunt keeps a horse there and he had been asked to feed it.

"He was approached by two men at speed, they were shouting and he feared a repeat of what happened the previous year," said Mr Constantine.

"He produced this item which he kept solely for his own personal protection to try to frighten the men.

"He failed miserably and was physically restrained, and when he was presented to the police, he was seen to have various injuries - a cut to his head, clothes covered in blood and a black eye."

Dalkin, of Northbourne Road, Stockton, admitted a charge of possessing a prohibited weapon capable of discharging noxious liquid, gas or another thing.

Judge Briggs told him: "This is an unusual case, and I accept the background with regard to your health and vulnerability.

"I see from your interview with a probation officer that you have an interest in weapons, and it may well be that that particular interest result from your medical vulnerabilities, but that's not of a great comfort to the people on the receiving end of your behaviour

"This case has unusual features, and as matters turned out, no harm was actually done to anyone with the weapon.

"Those who arm themselves with weapons of this sort for whatever reason must know it is a serious matter, and it can escalate quite dangerously."