WIREDGOV

A man from Arbroath has had his prison sentence increased to five years after attempting to import offensive weapons, including a stun gun disguised as a torch and five CS pepper sprays in the post.

The weapons, which were addressed to 41-year-old Maitland Cuthill, had been seized by Border Force officers at a postal depot near Heathrow.

Cuthill was arrested after National Crime Agency investigators raided his home in North Tarry in August 2015. During the raid, officers recovered another stun gun shaped like a baton.

Forensic analysis of Cuthill’s computers found numerous internet searches using the term ‘taser’ and evidence that he had looked at other weapons online.

On 27 June 2017 at Dundee Sheriff Court Cuthill pleaded guilty to offences under the Firearms Act.

He was originally sentenced to 16 months in prison but following an appeal, his sentence was increased to five years on Friday 6 October.

John McGowan, head of the NCA’s Border Investigations team in Scotland, said:

“Stun guns like these are not toys. They are extremely dangerous weapons capable of inflicting serious harm.

“We’re intent on keeping these weapons off the streets and work tirelessly with law enforcement partners like Border Force to make sure unlicensed firearms don’t fall into criminal hands.”