Petrified holidaymaker finds venomous scorpion in his suitcase after jetting back from trip abroad

A holidaymaker with a fear of insects was horrified to find a scorpion scuttling around his suitcase after jetting back from a break to Cuba. David Judd had been unpacking his clothes just hours after arriving home when he spotted the venomous arachnid.

The petrified ex-amateur rugby player, who lost his left leg in a car accident, settled on using a litter picker to grab its tail before skillfully placing it in a Tupperware box. He’s since been able to identify the animal, which he has called Brian, as a Cuban Bark Scorpion - capable of a very painful, but non-deadly, sting with its back tail.

David, an actor who’s appeared in shows such as Emmerdale and Scott & Bailey, has now brought it to a local reptile store where it will live out its life eating crickets. The 55-year-old said: “When I saw it was a scorpion, it was a very scary moment for me.

“I’m a 6ft 1in ex-rugby player, and I let out a very loud screech. In my house, my wife deals with wasps, spiders and moths. I absolutely hate anything like that.

“I tried to coax it into the box, but it clearly wasn’t going to go in of its own accord. Then I grabbed its tail, picked it up and put it in, closing it loosely as it’s airtight.

“I felt a huge feeling of pride at being able to do such a thing. I run a mile from wasps and bees, and here I am getting hold of a scorpion.”