A MAN called police from a phone box and said he had a knife because he wanted to go back to prison.

Blackburn magistrates heard when police arrived they recovered the weapon from the box and arrested David Brian Lowe.

Lowe, 29, of Spruce Court, Accrington, pleaded guilty to possessing a knife in Paxton Street.

He was committed in custody to Burnley Crown Court to be sentenced after the court heard he had previous convictions for possessing offensive weapons and grievous bodily harm and was still under post-sentence supervision after being jailed for possessing an offensive weapon in January.

Catherine Allan, prosecuting, said when Lowe called the police he said he had a machete, his life was "mad" and he wanted to go to prison.

Jonathan Taylor, defending, said his client had mental health problems and also had issues with drugs and alcohol.

"The only family he has is his father who is extremely ill and unable to help him," said Mr Taylor.

"All he really has is an address and benefits and he has found it difficult to access the help he needs for his mental health problems. He has found it difficult to cope which was why he called the police."

Mr Taylor said his client accepted the case would go to the crown court and he was not instructed to apply for bail.

"He finds it a lot easier to cope in custody than in the community," said Mr Taylor.

"He committed an offence which he knew would guarantee him custody."