A Whitland farmer who had a stun gun disguised as a torch has been jailed for five years today (Friday).

Maxwell West, aged 22, is already serving a two year sentence for dangerous driving.

While West, of Awelfan, Henllan Amgoed, was on police bail awaiting sentencing for that offence he was arrested again after the firearms incident.

Rhys Thomas, prosecuting, told Swansea crown court how West and a friend had been involved in an incident in Milford Haven on May 17 last year.

They had been inside a car driven by West and a group standing nearby reported to the police that someone in the car had pointed what looked like a gun at them.

A firearms unit was sent to find the car, which they did at about 11.45pm.

West was made to stop and a search of the rear passenger seat area revealed a black torch which was also a stun gun.

After his arrest West told police he had bought the weapon at a car boot sale and thought it had been only a torch.

West admitted possessing a prohibited weapon.

The court heard that West had been involved in a serious road traffic accident that had resulted in serious injuries to himself and his friends, and a two years sentence for dangerous driving.

Mr Thomas said West was now caught by a minimum sentence of five years as laid down by Parliament.

Judge Paul Thomas asked if the sentence could be reduced to reflect West’s plea of guilty.

Mr Thomas said that according to his understanding the sentence could be reduced but not below the five year term.

Judge Thomas said he accepted that whatever had taken place in Milford Haven it had involved someone other than West pointing an object out of the window of the passenger side of the car.

But it had caused alarm to other people, he added.

“Parliament has made it clear that weapons of this sort are dangerous and must be stamped out,” he said.

Judge Thomas implemented the five year sentence.