A 30-YEAR-OLD man detained for stealing from a shop picked up a knife and threatened to cut himself unless staff let him leave.

Blackburn magistrates heard Darren Thomas Kenny was allowed to walk out of the shop but when staff followed he came towards them brandishing the knife.

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Kenny, of St Peter Street, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to possessing a bladed instrument in a public place, using threatening behaviour and shoplifting.

He was sent on bail to Preston Crown Court to be sentenced.

Gareth Price, defending, said Kenny was "more of a threat to himself than others" and had acted out of desperation.