A MAN had to be placed in protective custody while in prison because of his brother's involvement with a drugs baron, a court heard.

The known hard-man threatened to "slash" Steven Leggat unless he got his brother to visit the jail.

And Andrew Church-Taylor, defending before Blackburn magistrates, said that having been put on the isolation wing with rapists and child molesters, Leggat would be stigmatised forever.

Leggat, 22, of Clinton Street, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to making off without payment for petrol, assisting in the disposal of 10 stolen chimney pots and driving while disqualified. He was jailed for a total of 120 days and disqualified from driving for two years.

Mr Church-Taylor said Leggat had moved away from Blackburn and started a new life in Manchester with his partner. They had two children and Leggat had a job before they moved back to Blackburn.

"Unfortunately when he returned, he inevitably drifted back into contact with his former acquaintances and he started dabbling in drugs again," said Mr Church-Taylor.

"The money was going away from his partner and his two children and his partner gave him an ultimatum. He went towards his friends rather than his family, a decision he now accepts was the wrong one."

Mr Church-Taylor said Leggat was remanded in custody on the charges after failing to appear in court and it was there that he met the man who had previously been his brother's drug supplier.

"It seems that my client's brother had disappeared with money and drugs belonging to this man," said Mr Church-Taylor.

"When they met in prison the threats were made to my client and the prison authorities were so concerned they put him in the isolation wing."

He added that as soon as his client was released from custody he planned to return to Manchester and stay away from Blackburn.