A MAN was ordered to carry out 300 hours unpaid work for the community after being caught with a CS gas canister in his home.

Alan Madle, 39, of Hall Avenue, Aveley, claimed he found the illegal aerosol in his neighbours' garden just days before his arrest on February 28.

The defendant, who admitted possessing a prohibited weapon, said that his English Bull dog was kidnapped around the same time and he put the weapon on his mantlepiece and intended to give it to the police as evidence.

At Basildon Crown Court Recorder Thomas Clover told Madle that he could have thrown it away or given it to police.

His Honour Recorder Clover added: "Possession of an item of this kind is in my judgement a serious matter because it is a weapon capable of causing considerable harm if sprayed in someone's face or in their near vicinity."

Madle was also ordered to pay £150 costs.