A SEARCH of a suspected drug dealer’s home led to the recovery of a Taser stun gun disguised as a torch, a court heard.

Liam Hardy was pulled over by officers in a police patrol car, while driving a Land Rover vehicle in the Brandon area, at 2am on May 10.

Durham Crown Court heard that 25 snap bags containing a total of almost eight grams of cocaine was found in the vehicle.

He was arrested on suspicion of drug dealing and made no reply in interview with police.

During a subsequent search of his home four mobile phones were found, plus several small plastic “deal bags”, while in a bedroom drawer the torch-like device was found, which it emerged was a working stun gun.

The 32-year-old defendant, of The Larches, Esh Winning, admitted possessing a class A drug with intent to supply and possessing a prohibited/disguised firearm, the latter count carrying a statutory minimum sentence of five years, except in exceptional circumstances.

But Hardy’s admission to that count was on the basis he was unaware it was a weapon, and he bought it as a torch to light a tank for a pet bearded dragon lizard.

He claimed it was not in a bedroom drawer, but in the kitchen near to the tank.

That explanation was rejected following a trial of issue at the court earlier this month, in which Judge Christopher Prince said some the evidence was “wholly inconsistent” with the facts of the case, adding that it was, “an incredible account”.

The judge, therefore, reduced discount for the guilty plea on that charge from one quarter to ten per cent.

Lewis Kerr, for Hardy, said to pass a five-year sentence for that count would be “arbitrary and disproportionate”.

He said Hardy turned to selling drugs due to debts he found himself in at the time.

But he told the court that the defendant has had few dealings in the past with the criminal justice system, and, while in custody, has taken the opportunity to enrol on as many work courses as possible to give him hope of finding “lawful employment” on his release.

Passing a total prison sentence of eight years and four months, including the five years for the prohibited firearm charge, Judge Prince said Hardy had been, “out and about supplying cocaine, with a particular stock in trade for personal benefit.”