A Swindon man has been jailed for three years and two months for brandishing a Taser during a fight in the town centre.
Tyler Vernon, 27, of Naunton Road, Walcot, appeared at Swindon Crown Court last Thursday (18/06) for sentencing.
He had previously pleaded guilty to affray and possession of a prohibited weapon.
The charges relate to an incident in Regent Street in January 2019 when a fight broke out between a group of people.
During the altercation, Vernon took out a Taser disguised as a torch and waved it around, before hitting someone with it. It was not discharged.
Police were called and, although Vernon initially ran from the scene, he was detained shortly afterwards in a nearby garden.
The discarded Taser was also found in a nearby garden.
A second defendant Jordan Dunn, 26, of Walter Close, Swindon, was given a community order back in May of this year after pleading guilty to affray for his part in the incident.
CPT Neighbourhood officer PC Paul Bezzant welcomed the sentence.
He said: “This disorder broke out mid-morning, when the city centre was busy with people shopping and caused considerable alarm for passers-by, particularly when people saw the Taser.
“Although it wasn’t discharged, this is obviously a dangerous weapon which could cause considerable harm when in the wrong hands.
“Not only do we now have a violent criminal off our streets, but we also have a dangerous weapon off our streets too.”
