A FORMER security guard found himself in court for possessing a Taser he thought was a torch.

Police raided the home of Danny Chapman in Saltdean on suspicion of drug offences.

During the search cannabis was found at the property.

Officers also found a Taser, which Chapman said he had purchased as it was listed as a torch, Brighton Magistrates’ Court heard.

When he realised it was a Taser, he did not know what to do with it, and feared being prosecuted if he took it to the police or if they stopped him en-route to a police station.

Martina Sherlock said Chapman had purchased the item online three or four years ago.

But police found it in his garage during the raid in June last year.

He had previously been working as a security guard at the Royal Sussex County Hospital, it was revealed.

Ms Sherlock said: “He could have asked for further advice, but just kept it in his home address.”

Chapman, of Saltdean Vale, admitted possession of a weapon designed or adapted for the discharge of electricity volts and possession of cannabis.

He was fined £200, with a £34 surcharge and £85 costs.