Man jailed after being found with taser outside The Hive

A man found with a taser outside a busy nightclub has been jailed for five years.

Donald O'Flaherty had the stun gun - disguised as a torch - when bouncers at The Hive in Edinburgh tackled him last December 23.

The 39 year-old later told police: "I always carry weapons for my own protection in case I need to use them.”

O'Flaherty - who also had a knife on him - claimed he had been asked for a light by a woman outside the club and pulled out the taser by mistake.

He insisted had never used the device "on anyone" and knew that it was "stupid" to have it in a public place.

O'Flaherty was sentenced today at the High Court in Glasgow having earlier admitted having the taser and knife in his possession.

Back-dating the jail-term to December 24 - when O'Flaherty was first remanded - judge Lord Matthews commented: "It was not the most happiest Christmas you ever had."

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