A MAN from Wrexham who had been facing a statutory minimum five year sentence for possessing a stun gun as a torch was told he was a very lucky man.

Mold Crown Court heard new guidance had been issued last week by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) over such cases.

The original charge of possessing a stun gun which was disguised as a torch carried a minimum five year sentence.

But prosector David Mainstone told the court that the charge had been changed to possessing a prohibited weapon, a stun gun, on December 14.

Andrew Williams, 48, of Australia Street, Ponciau, pleaded guilty to the new charge.

Judge Niclas Parry rebailed him pending sentence next month and said all sentencing options would remain open.

Mr Mainstone said under new guidance the CPS should charge a lesser offence in such circumstances.

"He is a very lucky man because the new guidance only came out last week," the prosecutor said.

The weapon had not been brandished and had been found in a house.

Henry Hills, defending, said his client had a history of mostly petty offending.

Williams, he said, was the sole carer of his teenage daughter and he applied for a probation service pre-sentence report.