A partially sighted man made a phone call alleging police brutality and impropriety after being charged with a public order offence, a court was told.

But the call, which led to further offences when an officer went round to investigate, was full of "malicious nonsense" according to Daniel King, defending.

Blackburn magistrates heard that Craig Keith Peel told the investigating officer he was going to burn his house down and threatened to knife him.

And when he was taken to the police station Peel spat in another officer's face.

Peel, 39, of Swift Close, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to using threatening behaviour, damaging a mattress in a police cell and using threatening behaviour and assaulting a police officer on another occasion.

Philip Potter, prosecuting, said that after the first two offences Peel was released on bail.

He rang the police and made allegations against the arresting officer.

Mr King said Peel's problems had started when he found himself in an area of Blackburn town centre that was "something of a building site"

"He became confused, worked up and worried and he says the police weren't very helpful or understanding," said Mr King.

(Proceeding)