Man may be jailed for attempting import of dangerous weapons

Supplies and flashlight packages hid CS spray and stun gun

A violent offender used his mother’s credit card to buy a number of dangerous weapons by mail order.

Maitland Cuthill tried to import five CS sprays and stun guns into the UK in packages that, on their shipping labels, said they contained camping supplies and a torch.

But in reality they held illegal firearms destined for the Arbroath home of Cuthill, who previously served a five-year jail term for assault, abduction and robbery.

Cuthill was yesterday warned he faces another prison term after admitting attempting to import the weapons and being caught in possession of a further stun gun when police and National Crime Agency agents raided his home.

Depute fiscal Vicki Bell told Dundee Sheriff Court: “On August 9 2015 Border Force officers intercepted a parcel addressed to the accused.

“The label said it contained supplies but it in fact contained five CS sprays labelled ‘Bodyguard PS007’.

“A further package was intercepted that said it contained a torch but it contained a stun gun contained in a torch.

“On August 17 police were granted a search warrant for his home address. “He was found lying in bed. “In his bedroom police found and seized a stun gun that was disguised as a baton.

“His laptop and computer were seized and analysed and search terms such as ‘tear gas’, ‘pepper spray’, ‘stun guns’ and ‘Tasers’ were found.

“When interviewed he said he had used his mother’s credit card to buy the items.”

Cuthill, 41, of Tarry Cottages, Arbroath, pleaded guilty on indictment to possessing a stun gun at his home address and attempting to avoid the prohibition on the import of illegal weapons.

Defence solicitor Nick Whelan said: “Given the nature of his previous convictions the court will be considering a custodial sentence. “There has been a gap in his offending.” Sheriff Alastair Carmichael deferred sentence until next month for social work background reports and released Cuthill on bail.

Given the nature of his previous convictions the court will be considering a custodial sentence. NICK WHELAN

Maitland Cuthill’s parcels were intercepted by Border Force officers.