A north-east man caught with a prohibited stun-gun whose possession can result in imprisonment has avoided a jail term after a court heard he was struggling with mental health issues.
Adam Hutchinson appeared at Peterhead Sheriff Court yesterday to admit having the device at his home in Fraserburgh’s St Andrews Drive on June 28 this year.
Defence agent Sheena Mair claimed the 23-year-old did not know about the restrictions on the devices.
She said a criminal justice social work report showed that he had mental health issues and that sending him to prison would have a “detrimental effect” on him.
Ms Mair said: “He bought it from the internet and does accept it was illegal, though he didn’t know that and didn’t think he was going anything wrong.
“The report details Mr Hutchinson’s mental state and says he has Asperger’s syndrome. Custody would have a detrimental effect on him.”
The solicitor suggested there was an alternative to custody – a view shared by Sheriff Christine McCrossan who made Hutchinson subject to a one-year supervision order.
