POLICE found a CS gas canister in a young man's bedroom.

Daniel John Lloyd, 21, claimed to have found it in a park.

He said he took it home in case children found it and was either going to hand it in or have it destroyed.

Lloyd, of Beechwood Road in Saltney, admitted possessing the canister on July 18 without the authority of the Secretary of State.

District judge Roger Lowe said he accepted that Lloyd had found it and took it home, intending to hand it in or arranging to have it destroyed.

He had not threatened anyone with it and had not intended to do anything unlawful with it.

On that basis he would be given an 18 months conditional discharge with £85 costs and a £20 surcharge.

He also took into account Lloyd’s good work ethic and the fact that he helped his mother care for his siblings, including one who was severely disabled.

Prosecutor Rhian Jackson told North East Wales Magistrates Court that police carried out a search warrant under the Misuse of Drugs Act and in Lloyd’s bedroom found the CS gas canister in an empty tooth brush box.

It was of the same shape and size of the incapacitant issued to police officers, she said.

Lloyd was not present but when later interviewed, he said he had it for two to four weeks.

He had been in a park in Saltney and found it in the field.

Lloyd said he picked it up and admitted carrying it to his parents’ home.

He told police he thought it would be okay to possess it at home, like a knife.

It was not going to be used for protection or anything like that, he said.

He said he had told his father about it who had advised him to destroy it.

No-one else knew it was in his bedroom, he said.

Nick Cross, defending, told the Mold court his client had not brandished the weapon, had not made threats with it and had not used it illegally at all.

Lloyd, said Mr Cross, was a young man with a good work ethic who had worked as a roofer, in a factory and he had also done painting and decorating.

But he was currently applying for benefits but was hopeful of work soon.

He had confirmed that he had found it in a field, there were children about and he took it home intending to hand it in but he forgot.

His mother, although disappointed with him, was in court supporting him.

Mr Cross said his client did help care for his siblings including one who was blind and autistic.