A MAN savagely beaten in front of his four-month-old son bought extendable batons and a stun gun because he feared for his life, a court heard.

Stuart Freeman, 45, of Maya Close, Shoebury, admitted possessing the 28,000-volt stun gun and importing five extendable batons from China when he appeared at Southend Magistrates’ Court.

Freeman told officers he had bought the weapons for protection after being attacked in the street and hospitalised because of his political beliefs, although these were not disclosed in court.

Lesley Turner, defending Freeman, said: “He ordered the weapons in desperation because he was not getting the help he needed from police. One assault was in the presence of his four-month-old child and his face is now held together with metal plates because he suffered such serious injuries.”

The batons, which he bought online, were intercepted by UK Border Agency officials at Coventry Airport. Police then searched his house on October 29 last year and found the stun gun. It was still in its packaging and had not been used.

Freeman said he thought he was only buying one baton and admitted also ordering pepper spray.

He was given an electronic tag and six-month curfew, meaning he cannot leave his home between 8am and 8pm. He was also ordered to pay a £60 victim surcharge and £105 costs within 14 days. The weapons were destroyed.

Speaking after the hearing, Freeman would not disclose which party he was affiliated with.

But he said in reference to the police: “If I was Nigel Farage or Tommy Robinson, things would have been different – but I was just a foot soldier and foot soldiers get hurt.

They (his attackers) don’t see us as human, but I’m a human being – I have a four-month-old son.”