AN alcoholic made a 999 call but threatened that anyone who attended his house would be shot or have the dogs set on them.

Blackburn magistrates heard that paramedics and two police officers did go to the home of Stephen Gordon Craysforth where they were met with abuse.

He was initially arrested for a breach of the peace, and defence solicitor Roger Pickles said his client was fortunate that armed response officers had not been mobilised.

Carysforth, of Montreal Road, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to wasting police time. He was remanded on bail for repors.

Mr Pickles said Carysforth was heavily intoxicated when he rang the ambulance service. "He made various wild and spurious claims about guns and dogs and quite rightly the police were notified," said Mr Pickles.

He said that in the meantime a relative had phoned to try to cancel the 999 call.

He said Carysforth had chronic sclerosis of the liver and he had been told that if he doesn't stop drinking it will kill him.