A 49-YEAR-OLD man with 257 offences on his record pleaded guilty to three charges of being drunk and disorderly.

Blackburn magistrates heard James Edward Lee had an anti-social behaviour order imposed to address his nuisance value but it had to be revoked after a psychiatrist ruled he was not capable of conforming with the requirements.

And Catherine Allan, prosecuting, said it was that decision which meant Lee was only charged with being drunk and disorderly rather than more serious public order offences.

Lee, of Devonshire Court, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to three charges of being drunk and disorderly.

He was made subject to a conditional discharge for 18 months and ordered to pay £20 victim surcharge.

Miss Allan said the first offence on May 3 started when Lee was moved on from the Morrisons car park.

Shortly after he turned up at the Adelphi pub causing a nuisance and shouting threats at a taxi driver.

Miss Allan said when he was charged and bailed Lee said he was sorry and that he was trying to be a reformed member of society.

“That was at 9.12am but later he was drunk again causing problems in the town centre,” said Miss Allan.

“He was shouting abuse at people outside the Sun on Astley Gate and when police told him to move on he turned on them.”

Four days later Lee was drunk on Fleming Square shouting threats and abuse at a member of staff from a shop.

Gareth Price, defending, said the magistrates’ options were limited. He said Lee already owed £2,360 to the court.

“You can either impose a further financial penalty or a further discharge but he is of limited financial means and is already subject to conditional discharge,” said Mr Price.

Passing sentence the chairman of the magistrates said the language and behaviour displayed by Lee had been horrendous.

He said it had also been directed towards people either doing their jobs or going about their legitimate business.

He was made subject to another conditional discharge, after magistrates heard his latest offences put him in breach of two other conditional discharges imposed for being drunk and disorderly.

“Our options are limited,” said the chairman.