A BUSKER hit a bad note with security staff at a Blackburn store when he started singing his songs in the foyer.

Blackburn magistrates heard when he was asked to leave, Russell Summers waved his guitar above his head and threatened to hit a member of the security team with his guitar.

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Summers, 50, of Cardwell Place, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to using threatening behaviour towards Arif McAdam.

He was sentenced to eight weeks in prison suspended for 12 months with a 20 day rehabilitation activity requirement and ordered to pay £85 costs and £15 victim surcharge.

Catherine Allan, prosecuting, said Mr McAdam asked Summers to leave following reports of him begging.

“He became extremely aggressive, squaring up to Mr McAdam and then raising his guitar above his head as though he was going to hit him with it,” said Miss Allan.

“Mr McAdam backed off but eventually had to take the defendant to the ground and detain him until the arrival of the police.”

Gareth Price, defending, said Summers was in the foyer at Asda on Grimshaw Park busking for a little money and also sheltering from the cold.

“He was only there for a couple of minutes and the CCTV footage doesn’t show him inconveniencing anybody,” said Mr Price. “He accepts he raised his guitar above his head. He threatened to do something but didn’t actually use it.”