A motorist who had an illegal pepper spray canister in his car has been handed a 120-hour community sentence by Brighton magistrates.

James Harper, 27, a scaffolder of Birdham Road, Moulsecoomb, denied possessing an offensive weapon but was convicted after a trial last month. The case had been adjourned for sentence.

The court heard Harper claimed he found the gas spray among a lot of tools, fishing equipment and rubbish when he bought the car two months earlier.

He intended to throw it away but had forgotten.

Ray Pape, defending, said: "He pleaded not guilty because he did not know the canister was still in the car."

Harper was also ordered to pay £70 costs.