A SELF-employed handy man who was refused payment for work he did for a friend took his revenge by releasing maggots in his chip shop.

Paul Quinn, 49, of Sussex Street, Burnley, pleaded guilty to criminal damage after throwing maggots around award-winning Belfield's Chippy, in Parliament Street, after a disagreement with the owner's partner Brian Belcher, on September 11, Burnley magistrates were told

Quinn also pleaded guilty to growing seven cannabis plants on his allotments, off Hufling Lane, and possessing a shotgun without a certificate -- these were discovered by police on September 13.

The court heard how Quinn had been building a £7,000 jacuzzi for Mr Belcher at his home in Stirling Court, Briercliffe, and how the pair had been friends for around 15 years. The chip shop has won a host of awards, including Best Fish and Chip Shop in North West England last year.

Andy Robinson, prosecuting, said Mr Belcher was unhappy with the job Quinn had done and told him he would not be paying him for it. He said Quinn went into Mr Belcher's chippy by the back door at 12.45pm, on September 11, when Mr Belcher and two female members of staff were working.

He went into the main shop area and had a disagreement with Mr Belcher about the payment before banging a tin of maggots on the counter.

Mr Robinson said Quinn took handfuls of the maggots and thrown them around the shop -- landing on staff, food and customers -- before walking out.

Mr Belcher claimed Quinn owed him £400 in damaged stock and lost trade.

Geoff Ireland, defending, said Quinn started work on the jacuzzi some months go and it was well on the way to completion.

He said Mr Belcher had gone to see a company who would supply a filtration system for it and when they offered to install it for him, he dispensed with Quinn and refused to pay him.

Quinn decided he had to put pressure on Mr Belcher for his £1,700 lost revenue.

Police found Quinn's cannabis plants on allotments while searching the premises, as well as a single barrel shot gun locked in a cabinet which Quinn did not have certificate for.

The case was adjourned until November 6 for pre-sentence reports.