A BEGGAR who felt he had been targeted by police became aggressive when he was told to move on.

Blackburn magistrates heard Anthony Jason Scott, who was one of the first people to be given a community protection notice as part of a police and council crackdown on anti-social behaviour in the town centre, shouted abuse at the officers as he walked off down Northgate.

But then he ran back and threatened to knock both the officers out.

Scott, 48, of Bolton Road, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to disorderly behaviour.

He was given a conditional discharge for 12 months and ordered to pay a £20 surcharge to fund victim services.

Tracy Yates, prosecuting, said officers came across Scott begging outside Marks & Spencer at 4.25pm, and asked him to move on.

Mrs Yates said: “The behaviour that followed caused distress to members of the public, including children, who were in the area at the time.”

Helen Farnsworth, defending, said her client claimed he was busking and not begging.

“He didn’t receive a letter from the benefits agency inviting him to an interview and the result was his benefits were sanctioned,” said Mrs Farnsworth.

“He was busking to raise some money although he accepts he had been begging in the past.”

She said Scott felt the police were targeting him although he accepts he reacted in an aggressive manner.

“He feels down on his luck at the moment but he has gone 18 months without being in trouble and that is to his credit,” she added.

Authorities can also impose a community protection notice to deal with conduct that is having a detrimental effect on an area’s quality of life.

Speaking after the hearing, Blackburn with Darwen regeneration boss Cllr Phil Riley said: “A lot of people, including the council, are spending a lot of money investing in Blackburn town centre.

“We don’t want a situation where potential visitors and families are put off from coming by the behaviour of a handful of anti-social people.”

Shear Brow ward councillor Suleman Khonat said: “Police officers do a public duty and they should not be subjected to violence or threats of violence.

“The council has spent so much money in the town centre and it is frustrating to see it being put in jeopardy by behaviour such as this. Witnessing this kind of behaviour will put people off from visiting the town.”