A cry for help spiralled out of control and ended with a man brandishing a meat cleaver and an axe and assaulting a police sergeant.

Blackburn magistrates heard Luke Mulgrew blamed his deteriorating mental health for his erratic behaviour.

Mulgrew, 36, of Douglas Place, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to affray and assaulting an emergency worker. He was remanded on bail for the preparation of a pre-sentence report.

Bilal Saeed, prosecuting, said Mulgrew had initially made calls to the police before turning his attention to the fire service.

“They attended at his home and called the police,” said Mr Saeed. “When they arrived he was in his flat waving an axe around and making threats to harm himself.

“He subsequently took hold of a meat cleaver and started to bang on the window, shouting in a threatening manner. He was eventually arrested and during that he kicked out at one of the officers.”

He said the defendant’s last conviction had been for three assaults on emergency workers.

Damien Pickup, defending, said it had been a cry for help that had got out of hand.

“His mental health has deteriorated over the last few weeks,” said Mr Pickup.

“He had been ringing the mental health services to try and get help but he was getting nowhere.”

He said Mulgrew had rung the police and ambulance 15 times on the night of the incident but had been ignored.

“When he rang the fire service they responded,” said Mr Pickup.

“He wants help and hopefully this can be a turning point for him.”