A MAN has appeared before Blackburn magistrates charged in connection with an incident in the shopping centre when four people, including a two-year-old child, were affected by pepper spray.

The court heard Salema Issa was involved in a dispute with another man in the Mall during which the spray was discharged.

Issa, 51, of Swallow Drive, Blackburn, pleaded not guilty to possessing a weapon for the discharge of a noxious substance, assaulting Sadiq Patel, Shabina Patel, Ellie Fletcher and the two-year-old child causing them all actual bodily harm.

All the charges relate to an incident on November 6.

He was sent on bail to Preston Crown Court where he will appear on October 21.