Sussex Police have charged a man with importing 22 powerful 'stun guns' disguised as torches into the UK.

He was charged after the guns were discovered hidden in cars and in the ceiling of an industrial unit in East Preston.

The guns, which are more powerful than police-authorised Tasers and discharge electricity volts disabling targets, were discovered at two locations in Sussex.

It is believed they were being exported into the UK to be sold. Stun guns are available to buy on websites although they are a prohibited weapon.

Officers from the Serious Organised Crime Unit swooped on the locations last year following a tip-off.

Two stun guns were found in a car and a further 13 were discovered in the ceiling of an industrial unit in East Preston, near Littlehampton.

Seven more were found in a parcel found by Border Force officers on its arrival into the country in last April.

A Sussex Police spokesman said yesterday: “Aaron Davies, 29, of Sea Road, East Preston, is due to appear at Worthing Magistrates' Court at 1.15pm on Tuesday, February 11, charged with importing prohibited weapons, 22 stun guns disguised as torches, into the country with intent to evade a prohibition and with possessing 15 stun guns, prohibited firearms disguised as torches, on May 1 last year.

“The prosecution, authorised by the Crown Prosecution Service, follows an investigation by the Sussex Police Serious Organised Crime Unit in which Davies' home address and his work place, a business unit at the Rudford Industrial Estate in Ford, near Arundel, were searched by officers on May 1 last year.”

Davies is currently on bail.