A HEROIN addict involved in a post office difficulty over benefits cash was fined £50 by Burnley Magistrates.

Graham Webster, 24, was told by the bench the money would be taken as having been paid, as he had spent about 24 hours in custody. An attendance centre order was also revoked.

The defendant, of Hawk Street, Burnley, admitted threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour.

Julie Reddish, prosecuting, said police were told of a disturbance taking place at Burnley post office and found the defendant and a woman.

The female looked distressed and was holding a tissue against her face. They had had a dispute in the post office, which was quite busy at the time and a number of people had approached Webster and spoken to him about his language and behaviour.

The row had been over a Giro cheque which the woman had been trying to cash and the defendant had been indicating he wanted the money.

Miss Reddish said the female appeared to have injured her face but had not made a complaint.

Trevor Grice, defending, said Webster had a heroin addiction and chaotic lifestyle and had had substantial problems.

He lived with the woman, they had a long-standing relationship and pooled their resources. She also had a drugs habit.

Mr Grice said the woman had told the defendant she was being paid fortnightly when she was being paid each week.

The woman had spent one week of the two week's money Webster was expecting. The incident got out of hand and clearly people in the post office were distressed.