A 41-YEAR-OLD man who complained to police about the anti-social behaviour of youths in his neighbourhood said he was going to kill one of them.

Blackburn magistrates heard that later the same evening a 15-year-old boy claimed he had been followed by Andrew Martin.

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And when the boy’s father went out to investigate he saw Martin had a kitchen knife in his possession.

Martin, of Abraham Street, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to possessing an offensive weapon in Hall Street.

He was sent in custody to Preston Crown Court to be sentenced.

Catherine Allan, prosecuting, said Martin phoned police just before 9pm and claimed he had been the target of a group of youths for some time.

“During the call he mentioned a kitchen knife and said he was going to kill one of them,” said Miss Allan.

Later that evening the 15-year-old boy got home and told his dad someone had been following him.

When the dad went out he saw Martin had a knife tucked in his belt.

Miss Allan said: “As he went towards his own home the dad actually saw him with the knife in his hand.

“The knife was recovered from behind the door of Martin’s house.”

Miss Allan said Martin’s record included offences of violence and he was currently subject to a suspended sentence imposed for a violent offence.

Jonathan Taylor, defending, said his client claimed he had been assaulted by a group of youths on the night of the incident.

He said: “He was attacked from behind and then kicked while he was on the floor.

“During that incident he lost or had some money taken from his pocket.

“When he called the police they didn’t seem interested and he became emotional.

“He said if someone didn’t come down he would kill somebody but it was never a serious threat.”

Mr Taylor said Martin hadn’t followed the boy but had gone out to look for his money.

“He foolishly took the knife with him for protection,” said Mr Taylor.