A man involved in a "frightening" knife incident at his Accrington home has been given a suspended jail term.

Neil Shaw emerged onto the streets, carrying two knives and challenged police.

A police woman and a special constable had to take shelter in their vehicle, with him banging on the windows.

The 47-year-old was told by Judge Christopher Cornwall at Preston Crown Court: "Many would regard your behaviour as so outrageous that only a prison sentence can be justified."

Shaw pleaded guilty to an offence of affray which occured in April at his home on Somerset Grove, Church, Accrington.

The court heard that he had caused injury to himself, resulting in his wife calling an ambulance.

The emergency services took the view that the police should be called as well.

When the police turned up he went on to scream at them. He shattered a double glazed window in his home and emerged onto the streets, armed with two knives.

He challenged police, approaching them aggressively and saying "I'm going to have the lot of you".

Shaw was given eight months prison, suspended for two years, with two years supervision.

The judge told him "This must have been extremely frightening experience for that policewoman and a special constable.

"It seems to me that perhaps the most constructive approach in this case is to make a suspended sentence order".