A MAN became more and more irate as police transported him around Burnley in the back of a van looking for someone who would take him in.

Blackburn magistrates heard the first port of call was Robert McKintosh's dad who said he wasn't welcome there.

He became abusive and aggressive and when he was turned away from the next address he gave to the officers he began spitting at the officers, claiming he had Covid-19.

And the officers eventually had to pepper-spray him as they entered the van after seeing he had put his belt around his neck.

McKintosh, 28, of Parklands View, Burnley, pleaded guilty to using threatening behaviour. He was jailed for six weeks and ordered to pay £128 victim surcharge on release.

Imposing the sentence Deputy District Judge Roger Lowe said the comments made by the defendant were foolish and unpleasant given the current situation.

He said, because the defendant had been remanded in custody for three weeks, the sentence meant he would be released the following day.

Jack Troup, prosecuting, said police were called to a public order incident in Harold Street, Burnley, at 9.15am although that incident had nothing to do with the charge against McKintosh.

"Officers spoke to several people before speaking to the defendant," said Mr Troup.

"Because of their concerns they offered him a lift to take him out of the area and he asked to be taken to his father's address in Rosegrove."

Mr Troup said his father said McKintosh wasn't welcome and they took him to Parklands Way where the occupants also said he wasn't welcome.

"He was shouting at the officers, saying he had Covid19 and was going to spit at them," said Mr Troup.

"While they were discussing what to do with him he began banging his head against the walls of the van and spat at the officers from the rear of the van."

Mr Troup said when McKintosh put his belt round his neck the officers immediately entered the van and pepper sprayed the defendant to subdue him.

Jonathan Taylor, defending, said his client was upset when he was placed in the van because he had not been involved in the original incident.

"He found himself being transported to various addresses where people were saying he wasn't welcome," said Mr Taylor.

"As the journey went on his behaviour slipped well below that which could have been expected.

"Because of his mental health difficulties he was feeling extremely claustrophobic."