A Renfrewshire man who was caught with a stun gun disguised as a mobile phone was today jailed for six years.

Ronald McMahon, 57, admitted having the weapon at his home in Auchentorlie Quadrant, Paisley, on July 1.

Prosecutor Ruth Charteris QC told the High Court in Glasgow that police went to the property with a search warrant in connection with another matter.

During the search, officers found an item which looked like an iPhone but could actually be used as a torch and stun gun capable of producing a high-voltage shock.

A further warrant for firearms was obtained and the device was seized.

It was then examined by experts and found to be in working order.

Jailing McMahon today, judge Lady Stacey told him: “Parliament has decided that possession of a disguised stun gun is a serious offence and the minimum sentence for this is five years.

“You have been in the High Court before, a long time ago. However, one of the charges was for firearms. You also have convictions for assault in 2016 and assault with a knife in 2018.

“In light of your previous convictions, the sentence I impose is one of six years.”

Defence counsel John McElroy told the court: “The item was brought to his house by someone else.”