A MAN who believed he had been cut up' by a plumber's van took his mobile number off the side of the vehicle and then used it to make offensive phone calls.

Blackburn magistrates heard that Ishtaiaq Akbar made racist remarks, obscene threats about what he was going to do to the plumber's wife, and threatened to trash his van.

And one of the three calls he made was answered by the plumber's son, causing him to fear for the safety of his family.

Akbar, 37, of King Street, Blackburn, was convicted in his absence of sending an article which was in whole, or in part, indecent or grossly offensive. He was ordered to do 170 hours unpaid work, pay £150 compensation, and £455 costs.

Catherine Allan, prosecuting, said Akbar had told Chris Watson he was a "marked man", as well as threatening personal harm and damage.

"Mr Watson said the threats made him fear for the safety of his family," said Miss Allan.

Jonathan Taylor, defending, said Akbar still denied the allegations and would be appealing against his conviction at the Crown Court.