A shoplifter detains by security staff produced a razor blade before making a throat-slitting gesture towards one of them.

Blackburn Magistrates' Court heard Richard Croskell ran the blade across his own throat and also told a security guard he would kill him.

Croskell, 37, of Penistone Street, Burnley, admitted to racially aggravated threatening behaviour, possessing a bladed article in public, and theft of alcohol worth £153 from Sainsburys in Colne.

He was committed in custody to Burnley Crown Court to be sentenced, after District Judge Alexandra Preston said her powers of punishment were not sufficient.

Bilal Saeed, prosecuting, said Croskell had previous convictions for possession of a bladed article.

On the day of the latest incident he was caught shoplifting and detained by security staff.

“He was taken to the security room to wait for the police and was aggressive throughout,” said Mr Saeed.

“He produced the blade from his pocket and ran it across his own throat while making a threat to kill the security officer.”

As police led Croskell away he was making racist comments.

Gareth Price, mitigating, said his client had been engaging well with the Probation Service.

“He then experienced some matters in his personal life which led to a relapse into drug use,” said Mr Price.