A warning has been issued over the dangers of online shopping after an Angus man unwittingly ordered a disguised firearm from a Chinese website.
Despite Perth and Kinross Council initially rejecting the plan forDeRetired Ronald McMichael from Friockheim walked free from Forfar Sheriff Court after admitting an indictment charge of ordering a stun gun/torch in 2013.
The court heard the 63-year-old ordered the gun which looks like a flashlight to the casual observer for “home defence” and to help his wife feel safe.
But McMichael’s world turned upside down when UK border agency and police swooped on his Guthrie Crescent home on a tip-off from colleagues at Heathrow.
McMichael told police he had “no idea” ordering the dual-purpose weapon was an offence.
The court heard such offences under the Firearms Act are usually prosecuted in the High Court with a mandatory five-year minimum jail sentence, but prosecutors decided to hear the case at the lower level of justiciary.
Fiscal depute Joanne Smith said a suspect package was checked over on June 24 2013 by a customs agent at the Heathrow Worldwide Distribution Centre, which vets parcels from overseas before they continue to their destination.
This was passed to the Scottish Police Authority’s forensic experts, who regarded it as a dual-purpose stun gun and torch.
“Officers from the UK Border Force executed a search warrant at the accused’s home on the 8th of July, and he allowed them entry,” she added.
“The accused stated ‘I didn’t think it was against the law to order a stun gun.’
“During his interview he intimated he ordered the stun gun from a website.
“He was to put it in a bedroom drawer to make his wife feel safe.”
Defence agent Raymond McIlwham said his client had cooperated with the authorities.
He said: “He eventually got around to thinking it was never going to arrive. The next thing he knows UK customs are at his house.
“His reaction to the authorities becoming involved indicated there was no real wicked intent.
“It wasn’t ordered with a great deal of thought and without malice.”
Sheriff Pino di Emidio said he was “concerned” McMichael had bought the weapon for “home defence” but deferred sentence for a year for good behaviour.