PARTYGOER Kenneth Gent found himself in the wrong place at the wrong time as he made his way home in the early hours of the morning.

Blackburn magistrates heard that police investigating a silent 999 call found him near the phone box from where the call had been made.

When they challenged him Gent became abusive but Basharat Ditta, defending, said that was because his client had done nothing wrong and could not understand the police interest in him.

"He was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time and, as a result, spent eight hours in custody," said Mr Ditta.

Gent 28, of Ash Grove, Darwen, pleaded guilty to being drunk and disorderly. He was given a conditional discharge for 12 months and ordered to pay £55 costs.

Mr Ditta said:

"He accepts that in the end his behaviour became disorderly but he is adamant that he had done nothing wrong before the police arrived."