A MAN contacted police in the early hours of the morning and said he was "armed to the teeth" and on his way to Manchester to shoot a family.

Blackburn magistrates heard Lee Thornton said he was going to blow their heads off but his behaviour was described in court as a cry for help.

Thornton, 38, of Eastgate, Whitworth, pleaded guilty to sending a distressing communication and, on a separate occasion using threatening behaviour towards a police officer.

He was made subject to a community order for 18 months with 45 days' rehabilitation activity requirement, fined £150 and ordered to pay £85 costs and £90 victim surcharge.

Andy Robinson, prosecuting, said police took the threat seriously and officers were deployed to intercept Thornton.

"He had no weapons on him when he was arrested," said Mr Robinson. "The Ward family were spoken to but they did not want to make a complaint against him."

The other incident happened in April when police were called to an address in Accrington.

Thornton was on the street shouting and swearing and flailing his arms. He ran towards a female officer and she feared she was going to be assaulted.

Richard Prew, defending, said the Wards who were the subject of the first charge were known to the defendant and they had refused to get involved.

"He has known them for many years and they are friends," said Mr Prew.

"It was just a name that came to mind and the whole thing was a cry for help.

"He wanted the police to take him to a psychiatric unit."

Mr Prew said at the time Thornton had been homeless and not in a very good place.

"Eight months on he is now living with his partner and is in a much better place than he was," said Mr Prew.