POLICE investigating a man brandishing a knife during a dispute found a teenager hiding behind St Paul's Working Men's Club, Blackburn.

Magistrates heard that when they searched Daniel Lee Allen they found a knife in his pocket.

He allegedly told police he had the knife because he had been "jumped" two weeks earlier.

But the court was told Allen denied having the knife for his own protection and said he wasn't the person who had been brandishing a weapon.

Allen, 18, of Yates Fold, Blackburn, admitted possessing an offensive weapon and was bailed for the preparation of a pre-sentence report.

Alfred Rebello, defending, said Allen worked as a plasterer and used the knife in the course of his work.

He had left it in his pocket by mistake but accepted when he realised, he should have taken it home.

"He says he was not the person brandishing the knife and also denies saying it was for his protection," said Mr Rebello.