Driver faces jail over stun gun

A lorry driver admits carrying a stun gun

A Leith lorry driver is facing a possible jail term after being caught carrying a stun gun for self defence.

Anthony McCrindle, 44, delivers goods all over Europe and began carrying the non-lethal weapon after being targeted by criminals during the night.

McCrindle, was caught with the battery-powered device, for the second time, last February in East Lothian.

He pled guilty at Edinburgh Sheriff Court to possessing a firearm without the appropriate certificate.

The court was told self-employed McCrindle had picked up a car in Switzerland and driven home but pulled over to sleep after landing at Fisherrow Harbour, Musselburgh.

It is a weapon of self defence which is legal in most European countries except for the UK Anthony McCrindle

Police approached his vehicle at 0110 GMT and, describing McCrindle as seeming "nervous" asked if he had anything illegal.

He admitted he had a stun gun and was arrested.

Self-employed McCrindle, who earns up to £35,000 a year, told officers he had bought the non-lethal weapon in Switzerland for 69 euros after "incidents" involving himself and colleagues.

Solicitor Alexander Lafferty, defending, said it was "common" for lorry drivers on the continent to carry stun guns and was not illegal in France, Germany, Holland, Switzerland or Italy, where McCrindle mostly worked.

He had never had to use the weapon, said the lawyer.

"He has been in danger in the past," said Mr Lafferty.

"On occasions he has genuinely been in fear of his life. That relates to his and other colleagues experience.

"He had been returning home from the continent and he had the item with him. He felt absolutely exhausted and stopped."

Fiscal depute John Kirk, prosecuting, said McCrindle's explanation was "not unheard of".

McCrindle, who has a previous conviction after being caught with a stun gun two years ago in Kilmarnock, will be sentenced next month after background reports.

Previous conviction

Sheriff Scott warned him all sentencing options remained open but allowed him to remain on bail.

"This is a serious matter and you have a previous conviction for a very similar offence," the sheriff said.

Speaking outside court, McCrindle, said drivers were targeted by criminals trying to break into the lorry while the drivers slept and illegal immigrants trying to board the vehicle.

"When you are sleeping in a truck in the middle of nowhere it can be dangerous. I have had people slashing curtains to see what's in there.

"The common one in Europe is getting gassed - you leave your window open for air and they fire gas in.

"It is a weapon of self defence which is legal in most European countries except for the UK.

"I pretty much guarantee if you stop a foreign driver in France or Germany or otherwise they will have a stun gun."