A FATHER-OF-10 sparked a police siege after a row over a neighbour confiscating his children's football.

Stuart Murgatroyd, 36, of Burnley Road, Padiham, lost his temper and hurled cutlery and vacuum cleaner towards officers.

Burnley magistrates heard how Murgatroyd was CS gassed by police.

Youngsters, who had been playing on grass behind Hameldon Road, were in tears at the commotion. Murgatroyd admitted using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour towards police.

Mark Williams, defending Murgatroyd, said a neighbour had confiscated his children's football and his wife had gone round to try and sort it out but the police ended up being called.

When officers arrived, Murgatroyd tried to tell them his wife had gone to sort it out.

Elizabeth Read, prosecuting, said Murgatroyd became aggressive, angry and started shouting.

He was asked to calm down and one officer, thinking he was going to be attacked, knocked a cup out of his hand.

Murgatroyd was annoyed when the drink was knocked from his hand and there was then a "stand-off" when he went into the house and locked the door.

Banging was heard before he opened the kitchen window and hurled abuse. Mrs Read said Murgatroyd threw a plate which smashed behind the police and officers, fearing for their safety, sprayed him twice in the face. He threw more crockery before going upstairs and throwing the vacuum cleaner from a window.

Eventually he agreed to come out and was arrested, the court heard.

Interviewed, Murgatroyd said he had not thrown the items directly at the police and apologised.

The defendant was given a 12-month conditional discharge.

Mr Williams told the court his client had made a "foolish reaction".

The solicitor said the defendant, who was upset at the police station, had children aged between three and 14.

He said: "He has criminal record going back 20 years but to a significant degree he has put that behind him."