A 30-year-old Enniskillen man, arrested at the weekend over possession of a stun gun, has been released on bail from Enniskillen court.

The Court was told that Michael Thompson, from Drumbawn Close, was arrested for the offence shortly after 10 o'clock on Saturday morning in the car park of Erneside Shopping Centre, after staff at Boots store reported to police they believed the defendant was in possession of a stun gun.

The investigating officer explained Thompson had entered the shop to purchase batteries for the gun. Police responding to the complaint, stopped the defendant at Erneside, and noted he had a pouch and batteries on his person. A stun gun was also discovered a short distance away.

The officer told the court research had shown stun guns often came with this type of pouch, which Thompson claimed he used for carrying his keys.

The officer also said Thompson claimed the batteries were for his girlfriend's camera, but the policeman said camera flashes usually only take one battery but that Thompson was in possession of three batteries, the number required for the stun gun.

The officer also said Thompson had been questioned over an alleged assault of a 64 year old man in the Windmill Heights area of the town, over the weekend, which had involved the use of a stun gun. However he admitted, Thompson did not face charges and had been released on police bail pending further investigation.

Defence solicitor Barry Lynam explained his client was a father of two children, and he had been in full-time employment since Christmas. This he said 'is his first consistent period of regular employment.'

Thompson was released on his own bail of £500, with a surety of £750 to be lodged. He was further ordered not to enter Erneside Shopping Centre or car park, to report to Enniskillen Police Station three times a week, and to return to court in Enniskillen on 21 August.