POLICE who stopped a car driven by Suhail Vohra for a routine check found an electric stun gun, Blackburn magistrates heard.

If applied for up to two seconds the device would cause its victim to lose the ability to stand, and if applied for three to five seconds, they would be left weak and dazed.

Vohra, 20, of Carlton Gardens, Blackburn, admitted possessing an automatic weapon prohibited under the Firearms Act, and possessing cannabis.

He was given a community rehabilitation order for 18 months and orders were made for the confiscation and destruction of the stun gun and cannabis.

Vohra was already subject to two probation orders.

Margaret Duckworth, prosecuting, said Vohra initially said the stun gun did not work and later said it was for self defence and he would have shown it to frighten people. An expert report on the instrument described it as a "non lethal self-defence weapon."

Basharat Ditta, defending, said Vohra kept the stun gun, bought in Manchester, because it was an interesting gadget. "It was never used and it never would have been," he said.

Mr Ditta added that the cannabis charge would cause the magistrates some concern because Vohra had nine previous convictions for the same offence.