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.
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