The possession of an illegal stun gun, bought by a Kelty man in Turkey almost 10 years ago, has cost him a £1000 fine.

A police raid on James Ireland's home in Cocklaw Street found the prohibited weapon, which he claimed he had bought on holiday.

The 30-year-old appeared for sentencing at Dunfermline Sheriff Court, having previously admitted possessing the gun at his house on February 28 last year.

Ireland, a groundworker, said he bought it on holiday in Turkey when he was “young and stupid”.

Depute fiscal Alex Piper told the court: “Police attended at the address with a search warrant following intelligence.

“They found the premises unsecured and found the accused inside. A stun gun was found inside a kitchen cupboard and the accused’s DNA was found on its surface.

“It was found to be in working order. It was a dual function electronic stun gun with ‘Police’ written on the side.”

On his previous appearance, defence solicitor Susan Gibson said her client was in full-time employment and lived with his partner.

“Mr Ireland tells me that he was on holiday with a group of male friends in Turkey about 10 years ago when he bought it as a novelty. He says he was young and stupid at the time,” she said.

The solicitor said the item was also a torch and her client used it to look in his basement.

“It is far less powerful than the Tasers used by police forces,” added Ms Gibson. “My client’s position is that he was unaware that this item was illegal.”

His solicitor at sentencing, Calum Weir, said, “He was 21 when he bought this as a novelty item. He still holidays in Turkeys and tells me these items are still on sale there.

“He was immature when he bought it. His position is that he has used it as a torch but never as a stun gun. It has been lying at the bottom of a cupboard.”

Sheriff Craig McSherry imposed a fine of £1000.