A man has been jailed after using a Taser disguised as mobile phone against a man in a fight outside a kebab shop.
Lee James Ainsworth, 23, was stopped by police on Mostyn Street, Llandudno. An off-duty bouncer had seen two men scuffling with one man pointing something towards the chest of the other and “an arc of light” coming from it.
Caernarfon crown court heard that Ainsworth, of Craig y Don , also “had his foot on top of the Taser disguised as a mobile phone.”
The police had picked it up and Ainsworth said in his interview afterwards that he thought he’d found somebody’s phone, and that he was going to hand it to the police, claiming he “didn’t know what it was.”
Defending barrister Elen Owen said Ainsworth had been “extremely intoxicated” at the time and that he was “sorry for his behaviour.”
She admitted that he had decided to plead guilty “later than the last moment” but that Ainsworth wanted now to get on with his life.
Miss Owen said: “When he’s sober, he’s very hard working and works for Llwyn Landscaping contractors, Conwy.”
She said he was hoping to become a foreman and that it would be a “great loss if he was incarcarated.”
Sentencing him, His Honour Judge Niclas Parry said the offence was so serious that it carried a minimum sentence of five years unless there were special circumstances.
Judge Parry said: “You actually used it in a situation of confrontation but there’s no evidence you deliberately set out that night carrying that weapon. The actual effects on your victim was effectively nil. The victim has refused to help the police in any way.”
Judge Parry said that after being stunned, the victim was able to punch Ainsworth before leaving the scene.
The Judge said: “We are not dealing with a firearm - we heard from an expert witness - and not dealing with a lethal weapon.” He said the minimum term was there to protect the public.
Sentencing him to 33 months, of which he will serve half and the rest on licence, Judge Parry said he had aggravated matters by offending while he was already subject to a suspended sentence.
North Wales Police Inspector Kelly Isaacs at Llandudno Police Station said: “I welcome the sentence handed out today.
"A Taser is a prohibited weapon and those very few in our communities who unlawfully possess them must realise there is a serious consequence to their actions.
“Ainsworth had carried the item with him while engaging in an act of violence which was captured by the town’s CCTV and their prompt action in alerting officers and the immediate response not only prevented the situation escalating but also demonstrated the value of positive partnership working in helping keep Llandudno a safe place for the majority who come and enjoy the night time economy.”
SEE-http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/jail-thug-who-used-taser-11769626
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