A DUDLEY man who bought 20 stun guns disguised as torches from Hong Kong for "a bit of fun" has avoided a spell behind bars.

Adam Anslow maintained to police he had not realised he was breaking the law adding that they were easy to buy

and they could be sold for £10 each.

Stuart Clarkson, prosecuting, told Wolverhampton Crown Court: "They were not lethal," but they were still capable of "being quite nasty - particularly if they fell into the wrong hands."

He added the guns, which were bought by the father of three over the internet, could all be fired and they were similar to the type used by police officers.

"I did not know they were illegal," Anslow told police adding that he was ignorant of the law. "It was just a bit of fun."

The 37-year-old of Summer Road, Wrens Nest, admitted possessing the illegal weapons and he was given a three month curfew order between the hours of 9pm and 7am.

Judge Jinder Singh Boora told Anslow he was able to pass a lenient sentence in the case because there were exceptional circumstances.

He said Anslow had no relevant previous convictions, he was a man who had lead a blameless life and he was

a registered carer for his mother.

The judge said it was accepted Anslow was not aware they were illegal firearms. "The stun guns were not capable of

causing injury but there could have been a short term debilitating effect," he concluded.

Mr Clarkson said officers from the UK Border Force were on duty at Gatwick airport when they examined a parcel from Hong Kong.

It was addressed to Anslow at his Dudley home and found to contain 20 flashlights which could have been used as torches but they were also stun guns,

Simon Burch, defending, told the court that Anslow had no idea he was doing wrong and it was accepted he should have made more inquiries when he made the purchase.

"They were very easy to buy and it is very likely they were of a low voltage," he said adding that Anslow had made no attempts to hide the purchase having provided the seller with his full details.