POLICE responding to a report of a man with a knife in Accrington's Arndale Centre faced a barrage of abuse from the suspect, a court was told.
Blackburn magistrates heard that Anthony Walker was eventually found not to have a weapon but he was arrested after making an obscene gesture.
Walker, 23, of Heys lane, Oswaldtwistle, pleaded guilty to using threatening behaviour. He was given a conditional discharge for three months.
Kevin Preston, defending, said the people who contacted the police were security officers who had previous dealings with him.
"He was searched and nothing was found on him and he vented his frustration in inappropriate terms," said Mr Preston. "As a result he has spent nearly 24 hours in custody."
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