A man caused damage and threatened a member of staff at Burnley Bus Station because he refused to let him charge his phone.

Blackburn magistrates heard Andrew Ashworth told the duty manager that if he did not let him charge his phone he would smash up the bus station.

When he was interviewed by police later, he said: “If you give me the charge sheet I can get his name and he’s a dead man.”

Ashworth, 26, of Halifax Road, Brierfield, pleaded guilty to criminal damage to an air conditioning unit and using threatening behaviour towards the staff member.

He was jailed for 18 weeks and ordered to pay £200 compensation to the victim.

He was made subject to a restraining order which prohibits him from approaching the office at Burnley Bus Station.

Deputy District Judge Matthew Wallace said Ashworth had targeted a man who was simply doing his job.

“In interview with police you were very abusive and made the comment about what would happen if you were given the man’s name,” said Deputy District Judge Wallace.

“Given the attitude you have shown there is no alternative to an immediate custodial sentence.”

Usma Kausar, prosecuting, said the duty manager was in his office at about 2pm when Ashworth approached and asked him to charge his phone.

“When that was declined he immediately became aggressive,” said Miss Kausar.

“He said If he wasn’t allowed to charge his phone he would smash up the bus station. He became abusive towards [the victim], who said he would call the police.”

Ashworth then reached through the window and threw an air conditioning unit on the floor and knocked the ticket machine off the counter.

Laura Hale-Atkinson, defending, said her client wanted to get on the bus, his phone was dead and he could not pay.

“He felt the man in the office was laughing at him and he lost his temper,” said Miss Hale-Atkinson.

“In the last month he has lost his job, his accommodation and his step-father passed away. It's fair to say he has not had a good month.”