A MAN who was discovered in possession of a taser and drugs in his bedroom was told he was ‘very lucky’ to avoid immediate custody.

Callum Croughton, of Halifax Close in Orford, was hauled before Warrington Magistrates’ Court to face the charges following a police raid at his home.

The 22-year-old was living with his parents at the time, and the whole household was awoken by police armed with shields and a firearms warrant in the middle of the night.

But he escaped being sent to immediate custody after being given a chance to ‘make something positive’ of his life by magistrates.

Detailing the facts of the case, Lynne Sayers, prosecuting, told the court how around midnight on April 6, the family was woken by police knocking on the door.

Officers entered the property with a warrant as a result of a tip off and located the taser, along with three reload cartridges, in his bedroom underneath his mattress.

Police also found cannabis in his chest of drawers.

Following his arrest, Croughton told officers he did not know that the taser was illegal and that he had obtained from a shop, but this was denied by the shop’s owner.

He was also hit with a second possession of cannabis charge after officers discovered bags of cannabis, scales and other ‘drug paraphernalia’ in his room a month previous.

Ms Sayers informed the court that the defendant has two previous convictions for four offences.

Warrington Guardian:

Police executed a warrant at an address on Halifax Close (Image: Google Maps)

Croughton’s defence spoke of his mental health difficulties, which cause him to ‘act on impulse’ and ‘not think clearly’.

David Campbell said: “It was a shock for his family when they were woken up by police knocking on the door with shields, and they are embarrassed by the incident.

“The defendant regrets his behaviour, is remorseful and will do anything required to keep his liberty.”

Before sentencing, chair magistrate Paul Chadwick said: “I’ll put you out of your misery straight away – you will not be going to immediate custody.

“Turn your life around for your sake and the sake of your parents.

“This is a very serious offence and you are very lucky to be going home today. Think about what you want from life in the future and do something positive with it.”

Croughton was sentenced to four months in custody suspended for two years, ordered to complete 35 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 110 hours unpaid work, and told he must pay £292 in court costs.

Magistrates also ordered the forfeiture and destruction of the taser, drugs and drug paraphernalia.