Man admits stealing police officer’s Taser

37-YEAR-OLD ‘FOUND IT ON THE PAVEMENT’ AND ‘DIDN’T KNOW HE WAS AN OFFICER’

AMAN has admitted stealing a stun gun from a police officer. Barry John Roberts admitted the theft of a police issue Taser and possession of a weapon designed or adapted for the discharge of an electrical incapacitation device.

The 37-year-old, of Penrhyn Avenue, Maesgeirchen, Bangor, appeared from custody before magistrates at Caernarfon and will be sentenced in the crown court next month.

He was arrested in Caernarfon after an extensive police inquiry.

Wearing a grey sweatshirt and trousers, he was accompanied in the dock by two security officers.

Roberts spoke only to confirm his name, address, date of birth and to enter his guilty pleas during the hearing.

Bench chairman Sian JonesEvans agreed with the prosecution that the matter was too serious

for the magistrates and sent the case to the crown court for sentence.

An application for bail was rejected and Roberts was remanded in custody.

Diane Williams, prosecuting, said the officer was on patrol in plain clothes in Bangor’s High Street on July 4 when he noticed some suspicious behaviour.

“He approached a man and said he was going to search him, believing he was involved in illicit drugs activity. He resisted and there was a melee in which both men fell to the ground,” she said.

The Taser weapon was in its holster and attached to the officer’s belt by a clip and a wire.

Ms Williams said CCTV from a nearby shop showed Roberts holding the weapon and then concealing it before walking away.

He was subsequently identified by officers from the footage.

Roberts was seen walking by the bus stops in Caernarfon in the company of a man and a woman on Monday afternoon and officers, knowing the weapon had not been found, challenged him with a Taser drawn.

After his arrest his flat was searched and parts of the Taser weapon were found in the property.

Glyn Roberts, defending, said he conceded the matter would be dealt with in the crown court.

Describing it as a “peculiar case” Mr Roberts said the defendant pleaded guilty on a basis that he found the Taser on the pavement and was unaware the man was a police officer.

He added Roberts denied using any force on the officer.

Roberts will appear at Caernarfon Crown Court on August 2.