Self-employed Ryan Sullivan, 24, was carrying stun guns disguised as mobile phones, nunchucks, knuckle dusters, CS gas canisters, pepper spray and butterfly knives in his suitcase when stopped by officers at Cardiff Airport
A young father has been jailed for bringing dozens of weapons into the UK after coming home from a trip to Bulgaria.
Self-employed Ryan Sullivan, 24, was carrying stun guns disguised as mobile phones, nunchucks, knuckle dusters, CS gas canisters, pepper spray and butterfly knives in his suitcase when stopped by officers at Cardiff Airport.
But Sullivan – who had been holidaying with his partner and children – claimed the 38 banned weapons were merely ‘souvenirs’.
Judge Michael Fitton QC, however, said this excuse was ‘nonsense’ during a hearing at Cardiff Crown Court, Wales Online reports.
Prosecutor Jeffrey Jones had told the court the weapons, brought to Britain on July 2 last year as Sullivan returned from his two-week trip, were ‘metal’ and ‘heavy’.
Two stun guns disguised as phones were among the weapons retrieved. They are capable of discharging 5-8,000 volts.
Sullivan, from Ely in Cardiff, was also found to be carrying five more stun guns disguised as torches and 13 CS gas canisters and pepper sprays.
Mr Jones said: ‘The Crown point to the volume as being the utmost aggravating feature.’
In defence, Jonathan Lewis said his client was of otherwise good character and put forward references from an assembly member and a councillor.
Sullivan, from Ely in Cardiff, was also found to be carrying five more stun guns disguised as torches and 13 CS gas canisters and pepper sprays
In defence, Jonathan Lewis said his client was of otherwise good character and put forward references from an assembly member and a councillor. Pictured: Stun guns disguised as torches
Knuckle dusters taken from Sullivan after he returned to Cardiff from Bulgaria. The judge ordered that they be destroyed
Judge Fitton said Sullivan had brought the weapons into Britain to supply them to other people and jailed him for four years. Pictured: Some of the weapons retrieved by police
Two stun guns disguised as phones were among the weapons retrieved. They are capable of discharging 5-8,000 volts
He also said Sullivan was ‘ignorant of just how serious a position he was putting himself in’ by purchasing the items, which are legal in Bulgaria.
Judge Fitton, however, said Sullivan had brought the weapons into Britain to supply them to other people and jailed him for four years.
He also ordered that the weapons be destroyed.