A 20-year-old man found with a taser stuffed in the waistband of his trousers has been warned he will spend Christmas in prison if he misses another probation appointment.

Robert Horwood, of Trowley Rise, Abbots Langley, was discovered by police with the prohibited weapon in Cow Lane, Watford, on Sunday, July 19.

Horwood admitted a charge of possession of an offensive weapon and magistrates committed the defendant to the crown court for sentence, due to the seriousness of the offence.

Horwood was due to be sentenced at St Albans Crown Court today, but failed to keep an appointment with probation for a report to be prepared.

Judge Martin Griffith said he would give him “another chance” to meet with probation and released Horwood on bail for sentence in three weeks.

Judge Griffith said: “I will reissue bail, but if you come back and there is no report then you can spend time in custody.

“And it will be over Christmas and you don't want that do you?”