STEFAN Morrison was arrested twice in the space of 24 hours for his own protection after drinking himself into oblivion, a court was told.

Blackburn magistrates heard that on both occasions when police were called they found him unable to stand or talk and arrested him because he was not in a fit condition to look after himself.

And the court was told that Morrison was turning more and more to drink in the face of personal problems.

Morrison, 40, of Pendle Drive, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to being drunk and incapable in Railway Road on Friday and drunk and incapable in Brandy House Brow on Saturday. He was given a conditional discharge for six months and ordered to pay £50 costs.

Daniel King, defending, decided it as an unfortunate case.

"On each of these occasions he had drunk a great deal but the last thing he would want to do is cause anyone, the public, the police, motorists or yourselves any inconvenience," said Mr King.