A COCAINE dealer who owned three stun guns has been warned by a judge that he is on the cusp of “destroying” the lives of those closest to him.

Lewis Jay Davis was arrested by officers in Sherborne in July after they found one of the weapons, the class A drug, cash, and a quantity of cannabis in his car, a court heard.

A subsequent search of his home unearthed the other two stun guns, more money and some MDMA.

The 25-year-old appeared in the dock at Bournemouth Crown Court for sentencing on September 25.

Judge Robert Pawson said the defendant could face years in prison for his crimes but decided to “take a chance” on him and defer sentencing for six months.

Prosecuting Simon Goodman told the court that at around tea time on July 10 officers were drawn to a BMW in a car park off Half Moon Street in Sherborne.

After finding the items in the car, Davis was arrested and his home was searched, with officers finding the other drugs, criminal property and weapons. A total of around £7,675 was seized by police.

In police interview, Davis admitted he was a drug user but denied being a dealer.

He had since admitted charges of possessing cocaine with intent to supply, possession of MDMA and cannabis, possession of criminal cash, possession of three stun guns and a lock knife.

The stun gun in the car held its charge but was not operational, while the other two were functional, the court heard.

Judge Pawson said the defendant, a team leader with Wessex Water, had “opened his account with quite a bang”, having just one previous conviction from some time ago. He added that Davis had a “propensity for greed and staggering stupidity” and he had “stepped off a cliff”.

Mitigating John Dyer said the defendant had “everything in his life going for him” and he had “glowing references”.

The court heard his employers were willing to keep him on if he remained drug free.

Mr Dyer said Davis, of Yeo Valley, Stoford, Somerset, knew his offending was his own fault but he had a “very difficult background” and was making “astonishing progress” to overcome his drug-related problems.

Addressing the defendant, Judge Pawson said: “You are a complete buffoon. Whatever happened in your childhood, and I am not making light of it, the fact is you are a 25-year-old man, you have to stand on your own two feet.”

The judge said it would be in the best interests of the public if Davis could be rehabilitated outside of prison.

“We all make mistakes Mr Davis,” added Mr Pawson. “The test is how we come back from it.

“The ball is in your court. There are so many people’s lives you are on the cusp of destroying. Do not let them down Mr Davis.”

Judge Pawson set a number of “expectations” for the defendant ahead of a hearing in March 2021, including engaging with health services, not reoffending or being arrested, maintaining his job, saving money for a financial penalty, continuing his duty as a step-father, partner and a grandson, and no further drug use. If Davis complied, his sentence would not involve immediate custody, the judge said, but if he broke any of them he would go straight to prison.