and not crack up!

A 28-year-old man who shot himself in the testicles with a sawn-off shotgun has been jailed for five years for possessing a prohibited firearm.

David Walker had drunk 15 pints of lager when he accidentally discharged the gun which was stuffed down his trousers, Sheffield Crown Court was told.

Walker underwent emergency surgery following the incident in Dinnington, South Yorks, and tests are continuing to find out how it will affect his fertility and future sexual relationships.

Andrew Hatton, prosecuting, said Walker went home for the gun after arguing with a friend about whose turn it was to buy beer. By the time he returned the bar was closed and his friend had gone home.

Mr Hatton said: "As he was returning to the area of the pub the gun went off. He had it shoved down his trousers. After the shotgun had discharged he placed it in a rubbish bin and crawled back to his home address."

Walker told police he was so drunk he had no idea how he managed to shoot himself. The defendent's mother found him at home and took him to hospital, where doctors called the police.

Gulzar Syed, defending, said: "He is still suffering as a result of the injuries. He still feels quite severe pain. There are still pellets embedded within the scrotum area of his body."

Judge Robert Moore said recent legislation regarding banned guns meant he had to impose the statutory minimum sentence on Walker of five years in prison.