A 24-YEAR-OLD man who sprawled over the altar in Blackburn Cathedral told staff he was God and Jesus and ordered them out of his house.

Blackburn magistrates heard Marcus Anthony Smith was aggressive towards Canon Andrew Hindley when he tried to persuade him to leave.

And Smith brandished a Bible as if he was going to hit a police officer with it.

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Smith, of Burnley Road, Blackburn, was convicted in his absence of engaging in riotous, violent or indecent behaviour in a church, an offence under the Ecclesiastical Courts Justice Act of 1860. A warrant was issued for his arrest.

Canon Hindley told the court he was in the office when he received a radio message about a man causing problems in the cathedral.

"He was up by the Lantern Altar which is the most sacred space," said Canon Hindley.

"The man was behaving in a bizarre fashion. He was shouting and screaming, saying he was God and Jesus and we were all to get out of his house."

Canon Hindley said Smith was being very aggressive.

"I tried to reason with him but he was incredibly abusive," said Canon Hindley.

"He told a member of staff he was not a Christian but the devil."

Canon Hindley said it became clear they needed help and the police were called.

"He continued to be abusive and aggressive and I just stood back so I was not antagonising him," said Canon Hindley.

PC Zain Ul-Haq said when he arrived Smith was sprawled over the altar. He was being abusive and threatening and would not listen to instructions to leave.

He was jumping up and down with clenched fists and the Bible in his hand," said PC Ul-Haq.