A GLUE sniffer said to have been upsetting locals in a Nelson park was "high as a kite," a court was told.

Burnley Magistrates heard how a policeman told Alan Mark Murgatroyd, 34, he could not let him harm himself, but the defendant replied: "I have been doing this for 28 years and it hasn't harmed me yet."

Murgatroyd then fell on the floor and two hours later was spotted laughing at moving traffic, waving his arms around and removing his clothes.

The defendant, of Chapel Street, Brierfield, admitted threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour.

He was given a 12 months conditional discharge and told by the bench to keep out of the public's way.

He answered: "I'll try. I'm not a bad lad."

Margaret Duckworth, prosecuting, said at noon on January 6, police were approached by a man who said Murgatroyd was sniffing glue and upsetting people.

An officer found him clutching a squashed tube of glue in his hand. He had a bag full of it and smelled strongly of adhesive.

Murgatroyd was laughing and shouting incoherently and was told by the officer he could not stay there. The same officer saw him again about two hours later, laughing at traffic.

The defendant told him: "I'm not doing any harm, boss." He then started taking off his clothes and was arrested.

Geoff Ireland, defending, said Murgatroyd did not use bad language as a rule.

Glue sniffing was not an offence but doing it in public distressed people.