A MAN "kicked off" in the Blackburn town centre police station because he wanted to be arrested.

Blackburn magistrates heard that Michael Waring was blaming bookmakers for his addiction to gambling and wanted to be put out of the way of temptation.

But defence solicitor Andrew Church-Taylor said that while gambling was a problem, cannabis had damaged his client's mental health.

Waring, 24, of Bridge Street, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to using threatening behaviour and was given a conditional discharge for 12 months.

Philippa White, prosecuting, said Waring went to the inquiry desk at around 3pm and began behaving aggressively and swearing A police officer asked him to calm down and stop swearing but had to arrest him.

Mr Church-Taylor said Waring had a long-term gambling addiction and thought that by getting himself locked up he would be away from temptation.

"As the debate rages about cannabis he is an example of those who have been harmed by the drug," said Mr Church-Taylor.

"He suffers from paranoia and lost a good job in the construction industry because of his problems."

Mr Church-Taylor said Waring was in touch with the community mental health team.

"Before going to the police station and asking to be locked up he did try and contact them," said Mr Church-Taylor.

Imposing a conditional discharge the magistrates said they believed Waring's actions had been "an extreme cry for help."

"Unfortunately we're not allowed to play social worker but we hope you can be pointed in the right direction," said the chairman.