Burglar who shot policeman with his own Taser jailed for four years

David Foster was 'fighting with all his might' to get away after being caught red handed burgling a house in Peacock Avenue, Wednesfield, on December 18, a judge heard.

He was on the ground when the Taser landed close by him after being dropped by one of the officers.

Ms Joanne Barker, prosecuting, explained: "When he bent down to get the weapon the defendant picked it up first and the officer, fearing it could be fired in his face, stamped down on the arm of the defendant and felt the electric charge going into him." She added: "One of the officer's said the defendant was fighting with all his might."

Moments later the 41-year-old offender broke free and escaped but was soon found hiding behind a car parked on the driveway of a house in a nearby street.

Neighbours had alerted police after seeing Foster banging loudly on the front door and peering through windows before going round the back of the property because the occupants were not at home.

He broke in by smashing the glass panel in a rear door and was removing the haul of stolen property when spotted by police.

Foster tried to run away but was quickly detained. "It looked like he was going to give himself up but he started to struggle and got his hands on the Taser," said the prosecutor.

The defendant, who had 29 previous convictions involving 56 separate offences, was also wanted after being pictured on CCTV selling a £450 watch for just £25 at a branch of Cash Converters on December 4, the day after it had been among property stolen by burglars. It was recovered and returned to its owner.

Mr Christopher O'Gorman, defending, said: "He had hardly started to lift his hand off the ground with the Taser when the officer stamped on him. It was spontaneous use of a firearm.

"He is now at a stage in his life when the dreadful abuse of drugs has taken its toll on his health and I ask that he is not given a sentence that will crush him."

Foster, from Baylis Avenue, Ashmore Park, admitted attempting to make use of a firearm with intent to escape arrest, escape from custody, burglary and handling stolen goods.

He was jailed for a total of four years two months by Judge Dean Kershaw who told him: "You have a terrible criminal record and I am adamant that, given the chance, you would have threatened the officer with the Taser but I am not sure you would have deliberately discharged it."