A DRUNKEN knifeman who brought terror to the outside of a shop after an earlier verbal altercation has been spared jail.

Burnley Crown Court heard how Peter Simpson, 26, was said to have made racial remarks about the shop owners, but a judge said he was satisfied he was not a racist.

Judge Philip Butler said Simpson had managed to pick up some Asian language, either Urdu or Gujurati, could understand it and even swear in it.

The defendant, of Disreali Street, Burnley, had admitted affray and having a bladed article.

He was given 42 weeks in prison, suspended for 18 months, with 18 months supervision and six months’ alcohol treatment.

Judge Butler said Simpson had a previous conviction for a weapon offence and had been on bail for an offence of violence at the time.

Silvia Dacre, prosecuting, said the defendant was said to have been drunk and swaying all over the place on Barden Lane, Burnley.

He had shouted to the shopkeepers: 'I am going to burn your shop down' and 'I am going to stab you'.

He was then seen pulling out a flick-knife and waving it around.

Philip Holden, for Simpson, said he was effectively and mercifully compliant and came to his senses when police turned up.