AN argument between two boozed-up pals ended when an Amazon worker used an illegal stun-gun – which he bought from the firm – on his friend.

Donatas Medzius grabbed the weapon, which was disguised as a torch, when drunken high-jinx spiralled out of control.

The 28-year-old was arrested when police were called to Cartmell Terrace, Darlington, at around 10.30pm last May.

When they arrived at the scene the victim said his friend had 'electrocuted' him but didn't want him to be arrested.

Annelise Haugstad, prosecuting, told Teesside Crown Court how the pair had been drinking heavily before starting to prank each other.

She said when the victim lit an aerosol canister in the house Medzius reacted angrily and grabbed the disguised torch before attacking his friend with it.

"He said he had used the stun gun on the other male but it was in self defence," she added.

Miss Haugstad said the Lithuanian told police he had bought the illegal device from Amazon.

Medzius, of Pease Street, Darlington, pleaded guilty to possession of a prohibited firearm.

Ben Pegman, in mitigation, said his client was employed at Amazon and was concerned that any order to wear an electronically monitored tag could jeopardise his job.

Judge Jonathan Carroll sentenced Medzius to eight months in custody suspended for two years.

He said: "You used the stun gun in a drunken argument with your housemate, you and he had been at home consuming alcohol, he engaged in horseplay and messing around which you didn't approve of.

"You went upstairs took out the stun gun which you had bought, which was clearly charged at the time and used it.

"It is a non-lethal weapon but it is a disguised weapon. You need to understand that there are some cultural differences about these weapons, they may be owned and used in various European countries but they are completely prohibited in this country.

"Where there are disguised, and this was disguised as a torch, you could have been charged with a different offence which could have led to a five year sentence."