RIVAL groups of men started bombarding each other with bricks and stones during a dispute outside the Salvation Army Hostel in Heaton Street, Blackburn.

The town’s magistrates heard James Stewart got involved in the incident after his friend was threatened by a man brandishing a snooker cue.

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Stewart, 37, of St Peter Street, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to using threatening behaviour. He was sentenced to 12 weeks in prison suspended for 12 months and ordered to pay £85 costs and £115 compensation.

Andy Robinson, prosecuting, said a member of staff at the Salvation Army was monitoring CCTV when he saw two groups of men throwing bricks at each other. Stewart was identified throwing at least two objects.

Stewart told police he had drunk 10 or 11 pints and some vodka and described his behaviour as ‘madness’.

Jonathan Taylor, defending, said Stewart’s companion had become embroiled in an incident and he had reacted out of loyalty. He said the other man was talking to a female outside the hostel when someone came out brandishing a snooker cue and issuing threats.

“There were people in the yard at the rear of the hostel and items were thrown,” said Mr Taylor. “My client accepts that he and others returned bricks and stones into the enclosed yard. Fortunately no one was injured.”