A MAN who was said to have threatened police with violence ended up being CS gassed, a court was told.

Burnley Magistrates heard how Stephen Bateman, 40, swore, lunged at one officer and wouldn't calm down. He was eventually sprayed with gas after urging officers to do it and was restrained, handcuffed and arrested.

Bateman, who was not represented, said he accepted he had caused a nuisance but not all the prosecution's claims.

He said he would not talk to the police in the way that had been alleged and had been frightened. He said he came in from another room, had not known what was going on and was squirted with CS gas straight in the face.

The defendant, of Fulham Street, Nelson, admitted breaching the peace and was bound over in the sum of £100 for 12 months. An allegation of using threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour was withdrawn.

Philippa White, prosecuting, said police were called to a disturbance at a house on Hall Street, Colne.

They heard raised voices and in the front room found a man lying on the floor with a woman sitting across his body. The woman explained he was a schizophrenic, had been throwing furniture around, and needed calming down.

Both the man and the woman seemed quite calm but at that point, Bateman emerged 'forcefully', from another room.

His manner was threatening and he was told he would be arrested if he did not calm down.