A MAN has been slapped with an unpaid work order for having a stun gun while carrying out contracting work at HM Naval Base in Faslane.

Martyn Galloway's pregnant partner sobbed as the 36-year-old stood in the dock at West Dunbartonshire Sheriff Court after pleading guilty to being in possession of the weapon at a previous hearing.

Fiscal depute Sarah Healing previously explained that Galloway was employed as a subcontractor within Faslane and, like all firms working on site, was subject to conditions including random searches.

Around 4pm on June 29, 2016 a search started of personnel and vehicles on the exit road from the base.

At about 4.50pm, the vehicle driven by Galloway was stopped and search and in the rear of the van they found a tool box with a stun gun inside.

Ms Healing said: "When that was recovered, he was reminded he was under caution and they asked why he had the article.

"He believed it to be a stun gun and bought it on the internet and brought it on to the base with him."

The weapon was found to be a type 800 stun gun and is a prohibited weapon. It was not disguised as something else, confirmed Ms Healing.

Galloway, of Craigie View, Tarbolton, Ayrshire, has no previous convictions, and Sheriff Maxwell Hendry previously said reports would need to be prepared to tell him more about the man's background.

Galloway's defence agent, Mr Davis, told the court on Wednesday his client's family relied heavily upon him but he was prepared to forego all other commitments to ensure the court's order was his top priority.

He said: "The report indicates that this purchase was a rash purchase indeed.

"He immediately stored it away in a safe place, bearing in mind he has two young children and another on the way.

"It appears he was paralysed with indecision – he thought if he brought it to the police he would be end up being charged."

Mr Davis explained Galloway was self-employed and also helped care for his elderly mother and father, who has recently suffered a stroke.

Speaking directly to Galloway, Sheriff Hendry said: "Nobody should possess a stun gun in Scotland but … can't be worse than in a naval base.

"The fact such an item is found in such a place, even if unintentionally, is of extremely grave concern.

"This was an extremely stupid and criminal decision, I don't think you are keen to make that mistake again.

"The maximum amount of hours I can give is 300. That is my starting point which shows you how serious I take this matter."

Galloway was sentenced to 200 hours unpaid work – reduced on account of his guilty plea – to be completed within nine months.