A jealous husband rigged up a home-made device similar to a police Taser on his front door to deter a neighbor he suspected was having an affair with his wife.
Alan Fletcher, 51, booby-trapped his own house after developing doubts over the fidelity of his wife, Pam. A court heard Fletcher was “obsessed” that one of his neighbours was calling around to make love to his wife while he was at work.
He bought electrodes, circuit boards and wiring to make the home made device capable of zapping anyone who crossed his front door with up to 18,000 volts.
Prosecutor Nuhu Gobir said: “It was hooked up to the mains power supply at Fletcher’s home. “Anyone who touched it would get a painful eclectic shock of between 11,000 and 18,000 volts. “When turned on, it produced a visible electrical discharge that could also be heard.”
Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court heard Fletcher described the device as “similar to a police Taser gun”.
Mr. Gobir said: “It had been positioned just below shoulder height by the front door to dissuade people form going into his home to have sex with his wife. “He said the device was there to prevent someone having sex with his wife.”
Fletcher, of Knighton, Powys, admitted being in possession of a prohibited weapon. Hywel Hughes, defending, said: “The weapon was defensive rather than offensive and would deliver a shock with a tingling sensation.”
Dr. Warren Lloyd, who examined Fletcher after his arrest, said he had a complex disorder and dysfunctional personality. Judge John Curran made a hospital order after ruling that Fletcher needed psychiatric help rather than punishment.
He said” “He was experiencing obsessional views about the man he believed was making advances towards his wife. “It would be wrong, in principle, to send him to prison when there is treatment available.”
Tasers have been used by police to subdue fleeing or dangerous suspects since 2008.
But illegal possession of a Taser carries a prison sentence of up to 10 years.