POLICE who attended a report of an incident in Countess Street, Accrington, found a man hiding in a back alley.

Blackburn magistrates heard Qais Amin tried to run off but was detained and officers discovered a quantity of cannabis and two knuckledusters.

Amin, 23, of Albert Street, Oswaldtwistle, pleaded guilty to possession of an offensive weapon in public and possession of cannabis. He was made subject to a community order for 12 months with 20 days’ Rehabilitation Activity Requirement and 120 hours’ unpaid work. He was ordered to pay £85 costs.

Briony Cook, prosecuting, said Amin was in a back alley and when an officer shone his torch and told him to come out he ran off.

Neil Howard, defending, said there was no suggestion his client had been involved in dealing drugs.