A JUDGE warned holidaymakers not to bring back illegal souvenirs after police found a stun gun under a Bradford woman's bed.

Mum Angela Boyle, 42, bought the weapon, disguised as a torch, in Turkey and brought it home, Bradford Crown Court heard today.

Although the offence usually attracts a minimum five year prison sentence, Judge Jonathan Rose said this was a case with exceptional circumstances.

Police discovered the taser on November 14 last year when attending at Boyle's home, in Sandfield Road, Thorpe Edge, prosecutor Stephen Wood said.

Firearms officers were then called to the address and Boyle told them: "It's mine. I brought it back from Turkey."

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She said she was on holiday there in June and did not realise the torch she bought as a gift for £1.20 had a second use.

Mr Wood told the court the item had 'heavy duty stun gun' written clearly on it.

Boyle pleaded guilty to possession of a taser disguised as another object, namely a torch.

Her case was sent to the Crown Court by Bradford and Keighley magistrates.

Mr Wood said the weapon was a fully functioning stun gun but it would not work without the use of a separate charger and Boyle did not have one.

Judge Jonathan Rose ordered that the taser be forfeited and destroyed.

He sentenced Boyle to 12 months imprisonment, suspended for two years, with 180 hours of unpaid work.

"It would be unjust and wholly wrong to impose a five year prison sentence in this case," he said.

But he warned people to beware bringing back similar items as novelty souvenirs.