A DRUNKEN dad rang his ex-partner and threatened to shoot her during the early hours of Boxing Day, a court was told.

Burnley magistrates were told how Andrew William Johnson, 41, was said to suffer depression which led to unpredictable behaviour at times, had drink problems and had made suicide attempts.

The hearing was told Leanne Turner was extremely scared by Johnson’s behaviour and called the police.

Officers had already arrived at Johnson’s home after he had rang them saying he needed help. They found him on the doorstep, with a large sword, threatening to harm himself.

Johnson, of Palmerston Street, Padiham, had admitted sending by the telecommunications network a menacing message. He was given an eight week curfew, seven days a week, between 7pm and 7am, with £45 costs and a £60 victim surcharge.

Parveen Akhtar, prosecuting, said at 1.23am, Ms Turner got a voice message from the defendant. It was difficult to understand as he sounded drunk, but he said he was going to ‘shoot you all’.

She was worried, shocked and called him back.

Johnson repeated he was going to shoot them. Ms Turner was very scared. She told the defendant she was going to call the police, he wasn’t bothered and she was concerned he would go to her house and carry out ‘these attacks or threats’.

Miss Akhtar said Johnson was arrested and said he couldn’t remember most of what happened because he was ‘wasted’.

He told officers he had had a lot of alcohol on Christmas Day.

The prosecutor said: “He says he would have made these comments because he was drunk. He didn’t mean them, still loved her and she’s the mother of his child.”

Mark Williams, defending, said Johnson had not been in trouble for almost 20 years. He had mental health problems, mainly through depression, and when he drank he acted in a manner which was usually detrimental to his health.

The solicitor said: “It’s something he bitterly regrets. He meant nothing by this. He apologises unreservedly.”