A MAN making threats to stab people in the face during a tea-time incident outside a Rossendale pub was later found to have a knife strapped to his leg.

Blackburn magistrates heard Julian Alexander Roscoe did not produce the knife and admitted possession of it when he was approached by police shortly after.

Roscoe, 36, of Bonfire Hill Road, Crawshawbooth, admitted to possessing a knife in public. He given a 16-week suspended prison term with 20 days of rehab activities and a three-month alcohol treatment requirement.

Passing sentence the bench chairman said Roscoe had deliberately gone out with a knife strapped to his leg.

“You may say you had no intention of using it but the danger is that when it is in your possession that is always a possibility,” he added.

Wakkas Javed, prosecuting, said police were asked to attend the Masons Arms on Burnley Road East, Crawshawbooth. The defendant had been making threats and saying someone was going to get stabbed in the face.

“He was located nearby and admitted he had a knife strapped to his left leg,” said Mr Javed. “He also had a bottle of vodka and a bottle of Blue Wicked with him.”

David Lawson, defending, said the offence occurred when his client, who had issues with alcohol, was very down and had family problems.

“He made a very foolish decision to strap a knife to his leg before going out,” said Mr Lawson. “That knife was not brandished or shown to any members of the public.

"There is no suggestion he was waving it about or anything like that."