A 55-YEAR-OLD man went into Blackburn Town Hall in a drunken state and started shouting that staff were molesting his children.

Blackburn magistrates heard the mid-day incident caused distress to members of staff and the public who were in the town hall on legitimate business.

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And the chairman of the magistrates described Lance Cook as "a public nuisance".

“You had obviously been in there before annoying these people who were simply trying to do their job,” he said.

“There were also members of the public there having to put up with your drunken behaviour. You are a public nuisance and it is time you grew up and stopped this kind of behaviour."

Lance Cook, of Spring Bank Terrace, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to using threatening behaviour and failing to surrender to bail. He was fined £40 and ordered to pay £85 costs and £20 victim surcharge.

Catherine Allan, prosecuting, said Cook was staggering when he entered the town hall at noon. He went to the waiting area where he started shouting and was asked to leave.

“Witnesses say he went mad and repeated the allegation that the town hall staff were molesting his children,” said Miss Allan.

Angela Rossi, defending, said on the day of the incident Cook had been drinking heavily as well as taking prescribed medication and could remember nothing of the incident.

“His son, who is now grown up, was taken off him many years ago and he still feels aggrieved about that,” said Miss Rossi.