A MAN who had a baseball bat in his car -- flouting an anti-social behaviour order in the process -- has kept his freedom.

Bodrul Alam, 20, was banned under the two year order from possessing anything intended for use as a weapon in public.

He was said to have told police he had it for protection after two men were stabbed at Kitchens Garage in Burnley, but later "strenuously denied" saying it, Burnley magistrates heard.

Alam, of Gordon Street, admitted having an offensive weapon in public and breaching an anti-social behaviour order. He was given 40 hours community service fined £50, and ordered to pay £70 costs.

Catherine Allen, prosecuting, said police were in Daneshouse Road when the defendant pulled up in a car.

They saw a the bat in the front passenger footwell. He claimed he had the bat for his own protection.

Alam said he had been on the order for two years and could not remember some of the conditions. He had 21 previous convictions.

Mark Irlam, defending, said Alam's friend got into the car with the bat and had left it when he was dropped off.

The defendant was going to return the bat but accepted he was in possession of it.

Alam strenuously denied telling the police he had the bat for protection. It was the first breach of the order, it had two months to go and he was trying to mend his ways.