POLICE called to the Netto store, in Montague Street, Blackburn, found a 42-year-old man abusing an ambulance crew who had been called to help him.

Blackburn magistrates heard that John Bailey had earlier shouted abuse and knocked over store displays when security staff asked him to leave because he was already banned.

Bailey, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to being drunk and disorderly.

He was fined £100, which was set against the time he had already spent in custody.

Michael Blacklidge, defending, said Bailey had been physically and mentally damaged by years of alcohol abuse.

He had been made subject to an Anti-Social Behaviour Order in November, but a crown court judge had since decided that was not appropriate because Bailey wasn’t capable of complying with the terms of the order.