A DRUNKEN man made threats towards a neighbour and then towards the police when they came to arrest him.

Blackburn magistrates heard William Lowe barricaded his front door to prevent the officers entering.

But officers used a stun gun and pepper spray on him before eventually forcing their way into the property supported by armed officers.

Lowe, 38, of Barnes Street, Church, pleaded guilty to using threatening behaviour towards Paula Waghorn and using threatening behaviour towards three police officers. He was sentenced to 12 weeks in prison suspended for 18 months with 15 days rehabilitation activity requirement and pay £115 victim surcharge.

Alex Mann, prosecuting, said Miss Waghorn heard Lowe outside her home shouting and making threats at 5.30 pm.

His partner took him back into the house but he was on the street again at 10.15pm banging on her door and shouting, 'Get out here big boy and I will kill you'.

"When the police arrived he started making threats saying it would need more of them and he would kill them," said Mrs Mann. "He had to be tasered twice before he could be arrested."

Richard Prew, defending, said there was bad feeling between his client and Miss Waghorn's partner.

"He was shouting at the house but they were empty threats," said Mr Prew. "The police turned up mob handed and he didn't think he had done anything wrong."