IAN Young threatened police officers with an eight-inch knife in a disturbance at his Blackburn home, a court was told.

Blackburn magistrates heard that Young lunged at the officers with a knife, shouting that he was going to kill them.

The officers had to use CS spray to subdue Young before they could disarm and arrest him.

Young, 36, of Whitehead Street, Blackburn, admitted affray and was remanded in custody for sentence at Preston Crown Court.

Sylvia Dacre, prosecuting, said police went to Whitehead Street after receiving a report of a man having taken a drugs overdose and threatening to stab people.

They were told Young was inside his house and when they entered he began shouting abuse, telling them to leave, then went into the kitchen. "When he came out of the kitchen his left arm was raised and he suddenly leapt forward brandishing a knife with an 8-inch blade, said Miss Dacre.

"The officers were fearful for their lives and one of them was forced to use his CS spray. They clearly believed that Young was attempting to stab them and acted accordingly."

Brent Patterson, defending, said Young had been suffering depression after a close friend died.

"On the day of the incident he had an argument with his co-habitee and things got out of hand after he took some heroin.

"He lost all control.

"He did not intend to stab the officers although that was clearly the impression they got."

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