Stun guns imported from China and disguised as mobile phones were seized by police in North Reddish, leading to a jail term for the man trying to sell them on.
Iain Pottinger, 32, of Bower Street, North Reddish, pleaded guilty to five counts of possessing a firearm at an earlier hearing and he was yesterday sentenced to four years in prison.
Officers raided his house in November last year and found five high power stun guns concealed in the boot of a car parked outside.
They had all been disguised as mobile phones, however Pottinger claimed he had bought them for protection and never used them.
Detective Constable Mark Healey said: “These mobile phone stun guns are dangerous and illegal weapons and thankfully they have now been taken off our streets.”
The investigation found the stun guns were imported from China, Pottinger did indeed plan to sell them on and they were prohibited under the Firearms Act.
He was subsequently arreseted on suspicion of possession of a firearm and jailed yesterday for four years in prison at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court – with two of the years for assault.
Pottinger assaulted someone on September 5 last year on Thomas Street in Manchester city centre.
DC Healey added: “I would ask if anyone knows someone in possession of a stun gun or if they know anyone who is importing these weapons to contact police on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
For more on this story and many others, follow Mancunian Matters on Twitter and Facebook.
