A MAN found with a knuckle-duster said he had it for protection, a court heard.

Burnley magistrates were told how Brian Hedgecock, 32, who has used drugs since he was 12, was aggressive and confrontational when he was stopped by police and told officers to leave him alone.

The defendant, of Granby Street, Burnley, was convicted of possessing an offensive weapon and admitted two counts of failing to surrender. He was given 150 hours of unpaid work but the bench made no order for costs.

Hilary Doherty, defending, said Hedgecock was addressing his drugs misuse and was weaning himself off amphetamine.

He was now living with his girlfriend and her children in a stable environment and had shown he could stay out of trouble.