A MAN claimed in court his role as a police informer had forced him to flee the country in fear for his life.

Blackburn magistrates heard Akhtar Hussain said he had provided information to the drug squad several times.

And he claimed he failed to comply with a community order because he went to Pakistan to escape people who were “looking” for him.

Hussain, 49, of Blackburn Street, Blackburn, admitted failing to comply with a community order imposed in August for an offence of harassment. He was fined £120 and the order allowed to continue.

Wazeem Choudhary, defending, said his client had been working as an informant for the drug squad.

“He was informed that people were looking for him and there was a knock on the door at 3am,” said Mr Choudhary.

“In fear for his life he went away to Pakistan which led to him missing appointments. He wants to complete the order.”

Mr Choudhary applied for an order prohibiting publication of the defendant’s address but the magistrates rejected the application after hearing representations from the press representative in court and taking legal advice from their advisor.