A POLISH lad found with a Taser told magistrates he had been “holding it” for a friend.

The 16-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared before Swindon Youth Court on Tuesday morning charged with possession of the “weapon”.

Prosecutor Nick Barr told magistrates that the boy had been stopped by police in Cambria Bridge play park in the town centre following reports of drug dealing.

When asked whether he had any weapons on his person the boy said that he was carrying a Taser, which has two “metal probes” designed to stun using electricity.

Defending his young client, who is currently in the care of Swindon Borough Council, solicitor Mark Glendenning said: “He tells me a friend gave him the Taser. [When stopped] he was with another male who was known for drug dealing.”

The boy had no previous convictions and was not known to the Youth Offending Team, Mr Glendenning added.

He had achieved a good pass in his recent GCSE maths exam, the court heard, and planned to attend college in September.

However, magistrates heard that there were fears that the boy was being targeted by criminals. Julie Coleman of the Youth Offending Team said: “I know there are a great deal of concerns about this boy and whether he is being exploited.”

She said of the court proceedings: “Hopefully [it will] make him more aware of the dangers that are out there.

“We know there’s more of it [drugs] out on the streets and we know he’s a part of it.”

Magistrates gave the boy a nine month Youth Referral Order, telling him to meet with the Youth Offending Team to decide a series of actions to tackle his behaviour. He was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £20.