A 23-year-old man shouted threats at another man who had given evidence against him in a Crown Court trial.

But Blackburn magistrates heard the threats were without reason because Christopher Waring had been acquitted by a jury and nothing could be achieved by intimidating the other man.

Waring, of Royds Street, Accrington, pleaded guilty to threatening a witness or juror. He was sentenced to four months in prison suspended for two years and ordered to do 150 hours unpaid work.

Catherine Allan, prosecuting, said Waring had been accused of assaulting Shaun Duffy and this had led to the Crown Court proceedings.

On February 21 Mr Duffy was returning from the shop with some friends when he saw Waring and some of his friends.

"Mr Duffy was concerned because he hadn't seen the other man since the court case," said Miss Allan. "He was frightened because he didn't know what he would do to him."

Waring shouted: "Get here now I'm going to kill you" at which point Mr Duffy fled into his flat locking the door behind him.

"Waring banged and kicked at the door shouting threats at Mr Duffy."

"The message should go out that people who have given evidence in criminal proceedings should not be subject to retribution," said Miss Allan.

Jonathan Taylor, defending, said Waring was deeply remorseful.

"He accepts it must have been an unpleasant experience for the aggrieved," said Mr Taylor.