A CAR valeter was found armed with a wheelbrace after police were called to trouble at a nightclub, a court was told.

Burnley magistrates heard how Harry Nugent, 24, who was standing in the middle of the road, raised the jack handle in an aggressive manner and had to be struck with a baton.

The court was told alcohol was said to be behind the offence but the defendant insisted to the justices he did not drink.

Nugent, who claimed he had been attacked and had disarmed an assailant of the brace, was fined £200 with £60 costs. He had not been in trouble for a year.

The bench chairman told him: "You were reckless. It could have led to a full-scale altercation in public in the middle of Nelson but it didn't."

Nugent, of Heron Court, Burnley, admitted using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour.

An offensive weapon charge was withdrawn.

Sophie Lorimer, prosecuting, said last December 23 police were called to a disturbance at the El Tropicano, Nelson.