A MAN was woken by a total stranger banging on his front door in the early hours of the morning.

Blackburn magistrates heard when the householder opened his door he was challenged to a fight by Christopher Houlgrave, who then threw a wheelie bin through his window.

Houlgrave, 21, of Tarbert Crescent, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to criminal damage to a door belonging to Christopher Hayes. He was ordered to pay £150 compensation.

Tracy Yates, prosecuting, said police had removed Houlgrave from the town centre at 1.20 am because of his drunken behaviour and drove him back to Shadsworth.

"They later received a 999 call to say an anonymous man was banging on their door," said Mrs Yates.

She said Mr Hayes had opened his door to be confronted by Houlgrave who threw the wheelie bin at him and challenged him to fight. He closed his door and called the police and seconds later the wheelie bin came through the living room window.

Gareth Price, defending, said his client was at a loss to explain his behaviour.

"He doesn't know the man whose house he was knocking at," said Mr Price. "He had never met him before and certainly had no issues with him. He doesn't know why he was banging on his door at 2 am."