AN irate neighbour who took the law into his own hands has been jailed for eight months.

Andrew Martin, 41, told police he had been targeted by a group of youths and said he was going to kill someone when they did not appear to take his complaint seriously.

A court heard during the 999 call Martin, of Abraham Street, Blackburn, became emotional and mentioned a knife.

Later that night, Martin, who has a record for violent offences, was seen in Hall Street with a knife tucked into his belt.

Martin pleaded guilty to possession of an offensive weapon and appeared at Preston Crown Court to be sentenced.

The court heard Martin had complained he had been assaulted by a group of youths who had attacked him from behind and kicked him on the ground.

One of the youngsters, a 15-year-old who can not be named for legal reasons, claimed to have been followed by Martin, and when his dad went outside to investigate, he spotted the defendant and the knife.

Martin admitted he was carrying the knife but claimed it was for his own protection.

He said he had lost his money during the attack and went out to try and find it.

When police arrived to investigate the incident they discovered the knife at the back door of Martin’s house.

Recorder Mark Ainsworth sentenced Martin to eight months in prison and activated a month of a suspended sentence he was serving.

During an earlier hearing at Blackburn Magistrates Court, Jonathan Taylor, defending, said: “He was attacked from behind and then kicked while he was on the floor.

“During that incident he lost or had some money taken from his pocket.

“When he called the police they didn’t seem interested and he became emotional.

“He said if someone didn’t come down he would kill somebody but it was never a serious threat.”

Mr Taylor said Martin hadn’t followed the boy but had gone out to look for his money.

“He foolishly took the knife with him for protection.”