A man was arrested after causing problems at Royal Blackburn Hospital.

Blackburn magistrates heard Philip Maguire had been assessed and discharged but did not agree with the decision.

Following his arrest police discovered a kitchen knife in his pocket.

Maguire, 37, of Brown Birks Road, Accrington, pleaded guilty to possession of a knife in a public place.

He was remanded on bail for the preparation of a pre-sentence report.

Zulekha Bhuta, prosecuting, said officers were called to the hospital at 5.45am.

The defendant had been acting aggressively and was refusing to leave. When officers repeated the request he turned on them and then asked them to arrest him.

Nick Dearing, defending, said his client had mental health difficulties and had gone to the hospital seeking assistance.

“He was told he was fit and well to go home but he disagreed,” said Mr Dearing.

“He had the knife on him for the purpose of self harm but it was never brandished.”