Man who Tasered himself goes free
A man described as the real-life Homer Simpson by his own solicitor for stupidly shooting himself with a one-million volt stun gun has avoided jail.
Ricky Hodgkinson, aged 26, appeared before Walsall magistrates yesterday to be sentenced after admitting possessing the illegal Taser gun which he had bought for £100 for self-defence purposes.
The court heard how Hodgkinson, from Kenilworth House, Leamore, Walsall, had fired it at his own chest to see if it worked properly, then complained it had not hurt enough and wanted his money back.
In a previous hearing his solicitor John Walker described him as the real-life cartoon character Homer Simpson who is famed for his stupid actions and who shot himself with a Taser gun in a recent episode.
Mr Colin Heald, prosecuting, said police were called to a disturbance in Blockall, Darlaston, on January 9 where they carried out a drugs search.
He said Hodgkinson was arrested and interviewed by police. "He told police he bought the weapon for £100 for a friend and had used it on himself to see if worked properly," he said. "He felt hard done by as he said it didn't hurt him like he expected and was going to seek his money back."
The weapon gives off a 1m volt shock when activated using electrodes. Magistrates told Hodgkinson to complete an 18-month supervision order, a 60-day drug treatment order and pay costs of £60.
After the case his solicitor said: "He realises he is very lucky not to be sent to prison.
"This is certainly one of the more unusual cases I have come across."
