A FORMER Sunday school teacher who hoarded a stash of illegal weapons in his garden shed in the hope he would be shot in a police raid has been jailed.

A FORMER Sunday school teacher who hoarded a stash of illegal weapons in his garden shed in the hope he would be shot in a police raid has been jailed.

Stephen Bailey had planned to commit suicide and had sat with a loaded sawn-off shotgun pointing at his chin for several days before deciding he could not kill himself.

His barrister, Greg Perrins, told Ipswich Crown Court: "Another way of ending his life would have been for the police to shoot him."

With that in mind Bailey had set about creating a situation whereby police would consider him a threat and would shoot him, he added.

Bailey, 42, of Park View, Wetherden, pleaded guilty at a hearing in July to five offences including being in possession of an extendable baton and two lock knives, a CS gas canister and a sawn-off shotgun and ammunition without certificates.

He also admitted possessing amphetamine sulphate and was jailed yesterday for 30 months.

Jan Brewer, prosecuting, said the weapons had come to light after police had gone to Bailey's home after receiving information that he had been having problems with bailiffs in May.

Mr Perrins, mitigating, said that at the time of the offences Bailey had been in a time of turmoil and things had got completely on top of him.

Bailey had attempted suicide in January and was in the same state of mind in May.

Mr Perrins added a psychiatric report had showed there was nothing seriously wrong with Bailey. Since being in prison, he had stopped taking drugs and had taken part in a number of courses.