A COURT has heard that a man had a stun gun in his bedroom for his own protection.

The uncharged Taser was discovered by police after they were called to Luciano Vanzan's home after concerns were raised about him having a weapon in public.

Teesside Crown Court heard that the 36-year-old, of Westerdale Avenue, Dormanstown, near Redcar, also had a 'fearsome' crossbow in his home which he was legally entitled to own.

Vanzan pleaded guilty to possession of a prohibited weapon and ammunition without certification – both in connection with the stun gun.

Emma Atkinson, prosecuting, said when police arrived at the property they discovered Vanzan in an 'agitated' state and told them that he needed the weapon for his own protection, despite not having the power cable to charge it up.

However, when police took the stun gun away and charged it up, the weapon was fully operational, she added.

The judge, Deputy Circuit Judge Jim Spencer QC, asked Vanzan's barrister, Andrew Turton, why his client had a 'fearsome' crossbow in his possession.

He replied: "He uses the crossbow for archery practice in his back garden."

The judge sentenced Vanzan to an 18-month community order and ordered him to carry out 25 training days.