A DISHEVELLED man came out of his house with his boxers halfway down and his “bits” showing at the start of a bizarre incident.

Blackburn magistrates heard a van driver who had stopped to talk to his daughter was assaulted by Christopher Lee Read who had offered to buy his van and to sell him some cigarettes he had brought back from Spain.

Read was dribbling saliva from the corners of his mouth as he shouted abuse and tried to punch the van driver who had never seen him before.

Read, 40, of Queen Street, Clayton-le-Moors, pleaded guilty to assaulting Carl Wellings and damaging his van. He was made subject to a community order for 18 months with a 12-month alcohol treatment requirement,10-day rehabilitation activity requirement and a curfew for four weeks between 9pm and 6am. He was ordered to pay £250 compensation, £85 costs and £95 victim surcharge.

Stacey Morrow, prosecuting, said Mr Wellings had pulled up on Queen Street and was talking to his daughter through the side window.

“At this point an unknown man, the defendant, came out of his house and walked towards him,” said Miss Morrow.

“His boxers were halfway down his bum and the aggrieved could see his bits hanging out, which concerned him because his daughter was there.”

After offering to buy the van and sell cigarettes Read started screaming and shouting and tried to get into the van. He tried to punch Mr Wellings as he sat in the driver’s seat.

Mr Wellings drove away to get away from Read, who had damaged a wing mirror on the van, but parked up down the street and returned because he was concerned about his daughter.

“The defendant was making threats to chop his legs off,” said Miss Morrow. “When the police arrived the defendant was still on the street drinking from a can of beer.”

Zabair Afzal, defending, said: “He recollects drinking eight cans of Stella, two cans of cider and some whiskey,” said Mr Afzal.

“He remembers arguing and nothing more until he was pepper sprayed by the police. He accepts it must have been a terrifying experience for the victim and he is shocked by his own behaviour.”

Mr Afzal said Read had not worked since he lost a leg in a motorcycle accident five years ago. “He lost his partner last year when she suffered a brain tumour and he has sought solace in alcohol,” said Mr Afzal.