CURTIS Ross Tunstall became abusive when staff in the Co-op in Longridge, questioned him about his age when he tried to buy alcohol.

Blackburn magistrates heard that he lunged at a member of staff and grabbed hold of him, ripping his shirt.

Tunstall, 18, of Carlisle House, Preston, pleaded guilty to using threatening behaviour and was remanded on bail until March 8. Magistrates ordered the preparation of pre-sentence reports. A condition of bail is that he does not enter the Longridge area.

Pat Bramley, prosecuting, said Tunstall had been served with cigarettes but had returned to the store and tried to buy alcohol.

"He started shouting abuse before leaving but he returned and this time lunged at an assistant," said Miss Bramley. "This disgraceful episode caused some alarm to the people working in the store."

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