Drug dealer who had stun gun is spared a jail term

A CANNABIS dealer was found to have a stun gun charged and “ready to go”, a judge was told.

Tomas Burnham, 26, was stopped by the police in a vehicle in Stuart Road, Market Harborough, and 30 ounces of cannabis was found in the boot.

Officers searched his then temporary accommodation in Packe Terrace, Main Street, Great Glen, and recovered a further four-and-a-half ounces of cannabis and a set of scales, on April 25 last year.

James Varley, prosecuting, told Leicester Crown Court: “Officers also recovered a Taser, a proper stun gun with copper wires and three cartridges. It was a ranged weapon to be used at distance, that also worked without cartridges on direct contact.

“It was like a police Taser, loaded, charged and ready to go.

“There was a stab vest and a knife recovered, although those two items don’t form part of the charges.

“There was also a friction lock baton, that was confiscated and he was cautioned in relation to that.

“He was a drug supplier, dealing in half and one-ounce deals, who had weapons and protective gear.”

The cannabis seized had a total street value of about £1,600.

Burnham, who later moved to Buckthorn Way, Great Glen, admitted possessing cannabis with intent to supply, possessing a prohibited weapon and ammunition, namely three cartridges. However, he was spared jail. Errol Ballentyne, mitigating, said: “The stun gun was kept indoors and he didn’t have it with him when he was stopped in possession of cannabis. “He had it because of where he was staying, at a place which had the windows boarded up.

“He’d left home, fallen out with his family and was living in the best place he could find at the time, in accommodation that was insecure. “He had those items to protect himself indoors and hadn’t taken them out of the house. They weren’t to be used as an adjunct to drug dealing.

“A lot has changed in the year since then and there’s no suggestion of further offences.

“He’s now with a partner who has steadied the ship, if I may use that term, and she’s expecting their child in June. “He’s found work with a building company and his partner will be reliant on his income.” Sentencing, Recorder Graham Huston said: “If you’re going to change and stop being an idiot, then now is the time, given the imminent birth of your child. You’re being given a chance today, don’t make the mistake of thinking you will get another.” Burnham was given an eight-month jail sentence, suspended for two years. He was ordered to do 140 hours of unpaid work and pay £450 court costs.

If you’re going to change and stop being an idiot, then now is the time.

Recorder Graham Huston