A man arrested for a breach of the peace was found to have martial arts rice-flails down his trousers.

Blackburn magistrates heard that Mark Gregson, 25, had gone to a Blackburn bakery where his girlfriend’s mother works and there had been a confrontation.

Gregson, 25, of Horsebridge Road, Blackpool, pleaded guilty to possessing an offensive weapon.

He was bailed for preparation of a pre-sentence report.

Sarah Johnston, prosecuting, said police were called to Park Lee Bakery where they were met by the defendant who was in an agitated state.

He was involved in a dispute with someone inside the bakery and was arrested to prevent a breach of the peace.

He confessed to having the rice-flails and told police he had bought them in a shop in Blackburn that day.

Roger Pickles, defending, said Gregson wrongly assumed that because the martial arts weapon was legally on sale it would be legal to possess it.

“Had he taken it straight home that would have been the case,” said Mr Pickles.

“He received a text from his girlfriend to go to the bakery where her mother works.

"She began tearing up letters he had written to his girlfriend and there was a scene.

“He did not brandish the rice flails.”