POLICE were called to Blackburn Boulevard after members of the public reported a man walking in front of cars.

Blackburn magistrates heard officers found Martin McMulkin drinking out of a half empty bottle of gin. He was abusive and repeated his threat to throw himself in front of a vehicle.

McMulkin, 47, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to using threatening behaviour. A financial penalty was set against the night he had spent in custody.

Parveen Akhtar, prosecuting, said members of the public called the police around 11.30 pm because of concerns about the defendant's behaviour. After his arrest he was taken to hospital because of concerns for his health.

The court heard the incident came three days after McMulkin was given a conditional discharge for throwing a stone through the window of a police van while it was parked outside Blackburn magistrates court n Northgate.

He was also subject to a suspended prison sentence imposed by the Crown Court for an offence of arson.

Jonathan Taylor, defending, said on the night of the incident McMulkin had been discharged from hospital and then started drinking.

"He says the police were quite aggressive with him and when the took hold of him there was some language he is not proud of," said Mr Taylor.