A MAN who dubbed himself 'Hannibal Lecter' today vowed to starve himself to death in a row with social services.

David Jackson, a father-of-13, is on the ninth day of a hunger-strike in protest at the way he has been treated.

Today police said they were aware of his action and suggested mediation in a bid to end the dispute.

Mr Jackson, of Monmouth Road, Blackburn, claims he has had nothing to eat since a corned beef hash for tea on March 31.

He has been drinking cups of tea and said: "I am determined to go through with it, I just don't care any more."

Mr Jackson, 46, is a recovering alcoholic and cannabis user who has attended Alcoholics Anonymous.

He has a conviction for a sexual offence from 1975.

His ex-partner lives elsewhere in East Lancashire.

He was placed on probation last year after Burnley Magistrates Court heard how he launched a campaign of threats and abuse against his child's mother and a social worker.

He called himself Hannibal Lecter, sent disturbing and offensive text messages to his ex-partner Marie Jackson, signed from "The Doctor", the court heard.

He also left a phone message for social worker Sandra Jackson saying he was her worst nightmare and enemy and was going to "sort the lot of you out."

On another occasion at a meeting, the court was told, he threatened her head would end up in a hat box.

But Mr Jackson, who admitted two cases of harassment, believes the "system" is biased against him.

He said: "My sex offence dates from 1975. I was convicted of unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor. I will carry on with my hunger strike until I die."

Mr Jackson admitted he had problems in the past with his ex-partner but said he felt like his life was being "ruined" by the authorities.

"I did say I was Hannibal Lecter because that's what everyone was portraying me like.

"I said a social worker' s head should be in a hat box but why should I be calm and collected when I feel like my life is being ruined?"

Mr Jackson, whose 13 children are from seven different partners, added: "I have told all of my children."

DS Lisa Pilkington, of the family protection unit for Lancashire Constabulary, said: "It is a sad situation. We are aware of the hunger strike but I don't think a hunger-strike will affect anything.

"But perhaps further mediation should take place."

Lancashire County Council's social services department and Blackburn with Darwen Council's social services department refused to comment.