NIGHTCLUB doorman John Heap carried a 65,000 volt stun gun in his car for his own protection, magistrates heard.

Heap, 40, of Wood Lane, Chippenham, pleaded guilty before North Wiltshire magistrates on Monday to possession of a prohibited weapon.

He also pleaded guilty to two counts of possession of cannabis.

Heap was given 80 hours' community service and ordered to pay £118 costs. Magistrates also ordered the destruction of the drugs and the stun gun.

Amanda Sawetz, prosecuting, said police carried out a warrant search of Heap's home on August 8 at 11.10am.

Heap told police the only drugs in his house were in a wooden box. Mrs Sawetz said when police checked the box they found numerous lumps of brown resin and vegetable matter on a stick.

She said another officer searched Heap's car and found the stun gun in the passenger side glove compartment.

She said a small bag of vegetable matter was also found in the car.

Mrs Sawetz said police did checks on the items and discovered various amounts of cannabis.

She said the estimated value was £60. During police questioning, Heap said he had bought some of the cannabis for £30.

Michael Wills, defending, said Heap was a nightclub doorman in Bristol.

He said Heap, who has a wife and a young son, had owned the stun gun for a number of years, had never used it, but had seen fit to keep it in his car for his protection.

"Mr Heap is a large man and not easily frightened but he has been concerned for his own safety," said Mr Wills.

The lawyer said Heap had been followed home from Bristol before and was concerned for his safety from people he had refused entry to at the nightclub.

A letter was also produced from his employer, supporting Heap.

"Because he has refused entry to people he has been threatened with violence," said Mr Wills.

"It (the stun gun) is a dangerous piece of kit and could kill."

Mrs Sawetz said she was concerned that, in using Heap's concerns as mitigation, it could appear like an invitation to people to take the law in to their own hands.

Mr Wills replied: "I am not suggesting he takes the law in to his own hands. It is not just airy fairy nonsense, it is genuine concern, but of course I do not advocate people carrying these."