A ROSYTH man found with a taser in his home said he had bought it online after consuming alcohol.

Police found the prohibited weapon at Keith Greg MacGregor's home at 65 Parkside Street.

MacGregor, 31, admitted that on February 2, 2015, at his address, he had a stun gun, without the authority of the Secretary of State.

Fiscal depute Azrah Yousaf said officers had been at MacGregor's home around 1.40pm on another matter when they became aware there was a firearm within the property.

Officers returned after obtaining a firearm search warrant and recovered a taser and a torch.

Solicitor Sarah Meehan said MacGregor had “consumed alcohol, gone on the computer and had come across it on the internet”.

She continued: “He foolishly decided to purchase this item and that's how it came to be in his possession. He tells me he has not used the taser function.

“This dates back to February 2, 2015, and he has not come to the attention of the courts since and has no outstanding matters.

“He resides there alone and has four children.”

She added that MacGregor had “always been in employment but as a result of this outstanding matter, has struggled to find work”.

Sheriff Christopher Shead imposed a community payback order of 180 hours' unpaid work to be completed in six months.