A FORMER soldier dressed in combat gear and armed with an air rifle and knife terrified innocent people on a canal towpath.

Stephen Smith pointed an eight-inch bladed knife at three Polish men. One even had the blade held to his neck.

In another incident, he targeted a man and woman, Preston Crown Court was told.

Smith, 49, of Mosley Street, Blackburn, was jailed for two years for having an offensive weapon, affray and possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear.

David Macro, prosecuting, said it was August 27 last year when the defendant appeared on the towpath at Blackburn. He was dressed in combat gear, sunglasses and had a case.

He produced what looked like a hunting gun and pointed it at three Polish men who were sat chatting.

The defendant said he had once been in the Army and killing them would be no problem. He said the gun had a silencer.

Smith took out an eight-inch knife and pointed it in each of the men's faces. One had the blade put to his neck.

After this, Smith walked off and came across a man and woman on the towpath.

The defendant pulled a knife from its sheath and said: "You want to watch what you say. There are a lot of dangerous people about and I am one of them."

When arrested, police recovered a large knife, air rifle and a tin of lead pellets.

Smith said he had been drinking heavily that afternoon and became angry when his girlfriend spoke about foreign men laughing at her.

He said he had gone hunting and had only stopped for a "chat".

Nick Kennedy, defending, said no actual harm had been caused.

Mr Kennedy added: "He bitterly regrets his conduct."

Judge Anthony Russell QC told Smith: "What you did was very frightening to members of the public.

"It is a matter of great public concern when weapons are misused in this sort of way."