POLICE called to a house in the early hours of the morning were confronted by a 24-year-old man brandishing a butcher's knife and threatening to slash his wrists.

Magistrates heard that officers spent an hour trying to talk the man round before officers, in full riot gear and using shields for protection, overpowered him.

Dwane Michael Robertson, of Pilmuir Road, Blackburn, admitted a breach of the peace. He was bound over in £50 to keep the peace for six months by Blackburn magistrates.

Roger Pickles, defending, said Robertson, who appeared in court with both arms heavily bandaged, had been in a relationship for two years, which had ended six days earlier.

"He is finding it extremely difficult to accept the end of that relationship," said Mr Pickles.