A MAN parked on double yellow lines produced a knife after police went to speak to him, a court was told.

Burnley Magistrates heard how father-of-three Michael Holden, 26, who was banned from driving, had to be CS gassed and police found an asp -- the equivalent to a police baton -- on him.

Holden, who claimed he had been armed with the knife after he and his family were threatened, was jailed for four months after the bench told him he had offended on bail and only custody was justified.

The defendant, of Chessington Green, Burnley, admitted driving while disqualified, not having insurance, two counts of possessing an offensive weapon and possessing cannabis. He was banned for a year.

Margaret Duckworth, prosecuting, said police on duty at 3.30pm on October 28, noticed a car parked on double yellow lines in Burnley.

A man got out, but walked away as the officer went to speak to him, and carried on though the officer shouted after him.

He sprinted away and the officer chased him into various streets and down a back alley.

He found Holden hiding in the corner of a yard, with a knife in his hand.

He started to struggle, went to the floor, was told to let go of the weapon, but wouldn't.

Mrs Duckworth said Holden, who was subject to two disqualifications, told police he thought the knife was legal.

Rachel Adamson, defending, said Holden had been receiving threats from a man named Jason Gorton and was frightened for himself and his family.

Holden's daughter had been living with him for three years after the break-down of his relationship with her mother and his offending pattern seemed to have settled down.

The defendant had managed to stay out of trouble completely for two years and had tried to keep away from crime.