Man fined for pepper spray
A MAN who kept a canister of pepper spray in his home for eight years has been fined by magistrates.
Jason Picard, 41, of Gorse Close, Lakenheath, pleaded guilty to being in possession of pepper spray, which he told Bury St Edmunds Magistrates’ Court he purchased while on holiday in America.
Wayne Ablett, prosecuting, told the court last Friday, that Picard handed the spray to police while they searched his home on June 22.
During a police interview Picard said he kept the pepper spray for self-defence and had not realised for several years it was an offence to have it in his possession.
In mitigation, he said: “I never took it out in public.
“I have been burgled twice before and I thought something as harmless as pepper spray, it causes a mild irritation and does not endanger anybody’s life.
“I thought it would be okay.”
Sentencing Picard, magistrate Muriel Lawrence, said: “We accept what you say but it’s an offence so we must sentence accordingly.”
Picard was told to pay a £20 fine, costs of £85 and a £15 victim surcharge.
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Sunday 26 May 2013
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