A YOUTH who caused a rumpus at the busy Nelson Post Office left the staff shocked and scared and the postmaster in fear of being attacked.

Burnley Magistrates heard how Imran Hussain, 20, got upset because he was asked for identification to cash a Giro cheque, demanded his money and threatened to "do" the postmaster if he saw him outside.

Hussain admitted threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour and was given a 36 hour attendance centre order.

The defendant, of Princess Street, Nelson, was told by the bench he had offended against public servants, doing their jobs in a public place and it made his behaviour much more serious.

Joanne Shahzada, prosecuting, said about midday Hussain went into the post office in the Victory Centre and was asked for identification by a cashier.

He became aggressive, abusive, said he went in the office every week and wanted to know why all of a sudden he had been asked for identification. Hussain was asked by the postmaster to leave and not return and swore at him.

Miss Shahzada said about 20 minutes later, the defendant went back into the post office, saw the same staff member and was refused service on the postmaster's orders.

He became extremely angry, threw a passport at the cashier but was told he would not be served.

Hussain was aggressive, shouting and swearing and the postmaster was scared he would wait outside when staff left after work.

Miss Shahzada said Hussain was intimidating, demanded his money and police were called. He was told to calm down, swore and said he would "do" the postmaster.

Lyn Slater, defending, said Hussain went to the post office each and every week and became very agitated because he was in a rush to keep an appointment.

He got very frustrated and accepted he became agitated. Hussain did not intend to be violent towards anybody but he did acknowledge shouting in a public place could have caused other people to be afraid.

Mrs Slater said the defendant, who was in breach of a conditional discharge, apologised for his behaviour. It was a one-off and he had well and truly learned his lesson.