Jail for Leeds gang who imported tasers disguised as iPhones

THREE men have been jailed over a plot to bring lethal stun guns disguised as iPhones on to the street of Leeds.

Police uncovered the conspiracy after border agency officials intercepted a package containing six ‘stunphones’ addressed to a property in Beeston from Thailand.

A court heard the weapons were designed to inflict pain and incapacitate people.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Neil Cuthbertson, 47, Aiden Bedford, 26, and David Clark, 31, were jailed for a total of 14 years for conspiracy to import firearms.

After the case, Det Insp Jaz Khan said: “It is quite clear that had these disguised weapons not been picked up, they would have made their way into the hands of criminals who are likely to have used them on the streets of Leeds to hurt or intimidate people.

“The significant sentences these men have received should serve as a warning to others of the penalties they will face if they buy or deal in items like this.”

The men were brought to justice in an investigation by officers from Leeds District’s drugs and firearms team Operation Quartz.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

In April 2013, UK border officials intercepted a parcel sent from Thailand containing six electronic rechargeable stun guns which had the appearance of the Apple iPhone 4S model.

Enquiries led officers to Neil Cuthbertson’s address in Beeston Road, Beeston where he was arrested.

Further investigations identified Aiden Bedford whose mobile phone number was displayed on the package. He was arrested and a further electronic stun gun disguised as an Iphone was recovered.

Analysis of mobile phone calls led to the arrest of the third man David Clark.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

All three were charged with conspiracy to import Section 5 firearms, which electronic stun guns are classed as.

Bedford pleaded guilty to the offence and Cuthbertson and Clark were found guilty after a trial.

Bedford, 26, of Winrose Hill, Belle Isle, was sentenced to five years in prison. Cuthbertson, 47, of Broom Grove, Belle Isle, and Clark, 31, of Heathcroft Vale, Beeston, were each jailed for four and a half years.