A MAN armed himself with a Samurai sword after being taunted by youths because he was a Goth, a court was told.

Blackburn magistrates heard that Jason Mills told a support worker it had got to the stage where he wanted one of the youths to start trouble so he could stab him and they wouldn’t bother him any more.

Mills, 38, of Chapels, Darwen, pleaded guilty to possessing an offensive weapon.

He was made subject to community supervision for 12 months and ordered to pay £65 costs.

Philippa White, prosecuting, said Mills attended the Darwen Resource Centre and was being treated for depression and psychosis.

He admitted to a support worker that he had the sword in his bag and had been carrying it because of trouble with local youths.

John Clish, defending, said Mills had been a full time carer for his mother before her death two and a half years earlier.

“A number of youths have been abusive towards him and made comments about his mother,” said Mr Clish. “He carried this decorative sword with him but he had no intention of harming anyone.”