June 7, 2019 3.41 pm This story is over 57 months old

Drug user jailed for keeping illegal stun guns

He has 40 previous convictions for 89 offences
Ben Sherwood. Photo: Lincolnshire Police

A drug user kept illegal stun guns and a pepper spray in his home to protect himself and his family, Lincoln Crown Court was told.

Police raided the home of Ben Sherwood on the St Giles Estate in Lincoln back in April 2018 and found three stun guns inside the property.

Phil Howes, prosecuting, told the court: “Police went to the house to execute a warrant and they found the items.

“The stun guns were live. One was able to produce a 30,000 Volt shock. It had barbs. It was the sort of device the police would have to incapacitate an offender causing trouble on arrest. There was also a pepper spray.

“In interview he said he had them for his own protection to protect himself from drug dealers.”

The court was told that Sherwood has 40 previous convictions for a total of 89 previous offences.

Sherwood, 33, of Browning Drive, Lincoln, admitted three charges of possession of a prohibited weapon together with a further charge of illegal possession of a pepper spray.

He also admitted possession of Diazepam tablets found in the property. He was jailed for two years.

Judge John Pini QC, passing sentence, told him: “There has to be an immediate custodial sentence. The possession of these weapons is a serious matter.”

David Eager, in mitigation, said: “He had them in his home for protection. He is a man who comes into contact with those who sell drugs because he is a drug user.

“He is not a drug dealer or anything of that nature. He has been the victim of assaults in the past and he feared similar events would occur.”