A MAN ordered by magistrates to pay compensation to a woman he threatened told them he would never pay it -- and would rather go to jail.

Ray Miller, 55, claimed the woman had "harassed" his son and insisted he would not pay her the £50 ordered by the bench.

He told the Burnley justices: "I am not paying her £50 on principle. I will pay costs and a fine but not compensation."

When Miller was told by the chairman the compensation was a court order and he could go to jail if he didn't hand the cash over, he replied: "I'm not bothered. That's all right."

The defendant, of Birchenlee Lane, Lenches Road, Colne, was given a 12-month conditional discharge and told to pay £65 costs, after admitting threatening, abusive or insulting words. The bench said he had put the woman in fear for her safety.

Richard Taylor, defending, said Miller, who owned static caravans, was a good man and a good neighbour and the offence was out of character.

He had not committed any offences since and had not had any intention of harming anybody.

The offence was words and words only and there had been no violence. The defendant told the police that if the woman threatened his son he would threaten her.