AN AGITATED father-of-two who uttered threats to stab people was found by a police officer to have a five-inch bladed knife up his sleeve.

Stanley Gallagher, 24, had been followed by the officer and shouted to him: "I'm going to get a knife," Burnley magistrates heard.

Gallagher, of Extwistle Street, Nelson, admitted threatening words or behaviour and possessing a kitchen knife and was bailed until June 18 for pre-sentence reports.

Andy Robinson, prosecuting, said Gallagher had lost his temper after a dispute with family and friends.

There was no evidence anybody other than the police officer heard the threats.

Gallagher told police he just needed time to cool off.

Graeme Tindall, defending, said Gallagher, who lived with his girlfriend and two children, had been having trouble with the boyfriend of his girlfriend's mother, William Greaves.

He had tried to deal with the situation in the right way in the past, but just snapped.

He had been on his way to meet his partner and because of what had happened picked up the knife.

Mr Tindall added Gallagher would not have stabbed anybody, but simply lost his temper.

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