A ‘JEALOUS’ man drew a crossbow which he had concealed in his pants and threatened two men in a flat, a court heard.

Stuart Beetham had been at a woman’s flat in Church Street, Accrington, on October 4 when the incident took place.

At the time a major police operation took place on the street and armed police officers raided the flat.

Shops and businesses were put on lockdown as officers closed nearby roads and evacuated the streets.

Witnesses saw officers with guns and dogs as part of the heavy police presence in the town centre area which was closed off for several hours.

Burnley Crown Court heard Beetham, 34, had become jealous of two other men, Stephen Meadowcroft and Christian Katsis, who were also at the flat.

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Stephen Parker, prosecuting, said the Beetham was not in a relationship with the woman, but was ‘a little keen for her’.

He said: “He became a little bit argumentative and was asked to leave.”

The court heard he returned sometime later and pulled out a hand-held crossbow from his pants and pointed it at Mr Meadowcroft and Mr Katsis.

Mr Parker said: “There was not a bolt in the crossbow at the time.

“He pointed it at the persons in the flat.

“They were growing concerned and scared at the defendant’s behaviour.

“The woman kept saying ‘what are you doing? These are my friends’.”

The court heard he returned to the party later on, without the crossbow, and apologised.

Mr Parker said during his apology, Beetham had said “it’s only a crossbow.”

The court heard Beetham had previous convictions including criminal damage and possession of an offensive weapon.

Kelly Cyples, defending, said her client accepted he had acted inappropriately and apart from this he was a law-abiding citizen.

She said: “He has physical and mental health issues that need addressing.

“He acknowledges he needs help with his mental health and management.”

Beetham, of Church Street, Accrington, pleaded guilty to affray and was given a three-year community order and asked to complete 50 rehabilitation activity requirement dayse.

Judge Andrew Woolman ordered the crossbow to be destroyed.

Mr Woolman said: “This was a frightening thing you did.

“You had all been drinking, you were jealous.

“Somehow you got it into your head to pick up a crossbow.

“You went back to the flat and you pointed it at them and they were quite frightened by that.

“I accept you were remorseful.”