A MAN arrested at a large scale disturbance involving masked men was wearing a chain mail vest and chainmail gloves.

Blackburn magistrates heard when police searched his car they fund an imitation firearm.

Krystian Blazewicz, described in court as a DJ, later claimed the items were props for videos he frequently posted on Youtube.

Blazewicz, 32, of Fir Street, Nelson, pleaded guilty to possessing an imitation firearm, a gas powered BB gun in a public place. He was made subject to a community order for 12 months with 20 days rehabilitation activity requirement, 120 hours unpaid work and ordered to pay £85 costs and £90 victim surcharge.

Peter Kelly, prosecuting, said members of the public contacted the police and reported about 15 masked men in Westfield Road, Nelson.

“Some of them were in possession of items which were causing concern,” said Mr Kelly. He said Blazewicz was present and wearing the chainmail items and the imitation gun was found in his car.

Kamran Yousaf, defending, said his client, who had no previous convictions, was fully aware the incident had caused serious concerns to members of the public.

He said there had been a disagreement between a number of men in the area.

“My client wasn’t one of those initially involved but he was asked to attend as back up by a friend,” said Mr Yousaf. “It was a silly decision by him to attend.”

Mr Yousaf said at no time was the imitation weapon brandished or even shown to anyone else.

“When the police arrived the disagreement had been resolved without the use of violence,” said Mr Yousaf.

He said Blazewicz considered the gun to be no more than a toy and, naively, because it was legal in his home country of Poland he assumed that the same would apply in the UK.

He said his client worked as a DJ and regularly posted music on Youtube.

“The gun and other items were used as props in his music videos,” said Mr Yousaf. “I would suggest it is highly unlikely that he will appear before the courts ever again.”