Man seen in a Whitworth street carrying a machete

Blackburn magistrates heard Ross Hoyle had been thrown out by his former girlfriend after a row.

And the court was told being at the house put Hoyle in breach of bail conditions imposed after he pleaded not guilty on a previous occasion to assaulting Bethany Taylor.

Hoyle, of Thorn Bank, Bacup, pleaded guilty to possessing an offensive weapon and using threatening behaviour. He was remanded in custody until after his trial on the assault on December 15 when all outstanding matters will be sentenced.

Alex Mann, prosecuting, said Hoyle was seen outside the home of his ex-partner on Tong Lane demanding to be let back in.

"He was clearly annoyed and members of the public were alarmed to see he had a machete in his hand," said Mrs Mann. "The lady was spoken to and said she had not been threatened."

Jonathan Taylor, defending, said his client accepted he had been at the address in breach of his bail conditions.

"They had a row and he was asked to leave," said Mr Taylor. "He was outside with this knife in his possession but by the time the police arrived he was back inside sat on the sofa with Miss Taylor."