A THIEF trashed a shop and terrified staff by claiming to have a knife and threatening to stab them, a court heard.

Burnley magistrates were told how Richard James Croskell, 27, smashed eggs, bread and cakes at the One Stop Shop in Colne Road.

He then told workers who challenged him: “I have got a blade on me. If you come anywhere near me, I will stab you.”

Croskell didn’t have a weapon on him at the time, but the next day he rang Burnley Police just before midnight, said he had a knife and was near the police station.

He agreed to remain where he was, outside Burnley Library, and when officers arrived, they found a blade 10 yards away in some plants. He said he wasn’t going to use it and had it for his own protection.

The hearing was told, the defendant was having hallucinations and was paranoid. He was in a psychiatric hospital days later.

Croskell, now of Cateaton Street, Bury, admitted damage and theft from a shop on August 17 and possessing a knife or sharp-pointed article in the Library Square, Parker Lane, on August 18.

He was given a 12-month community order with supervision and fined £15. He is currently subject to four conditional discharges, which the bench allowed to run.

Prosecutor Andrew Robinson said Croskell took a can of Red Bull from the fridge in the shop, drank it and then smashed eggs on the floor and threw bread and cakes.

After he made threats, the staff pressed the panic button and the security company alerted the police. The defendant admitted he had made threats and was bailed.

Gareth Price, defending, said Croskell had mental health difficulties and thought people were out to get him. He recognised the shop staff would have been terrified. He was in hospital receiving psychiatric treatment within two or three days. The solicitor said Croskell had taken advantage of the assistance offered to him while bailed to the hostel in Bury.

Mr Price added: “He is capable of taking advantage of help. His instructions to me are that he knows he needs professional assistance.”