A DOG owner who threatened to set his pet bull terrier on a woman security guard in Bolton town centre has been jailed for 15 months.

Paul Bleakley confronted Alisha Murphy, who works at the Market Place, at the junction of Duke Street and Topp Way on January 8, Bolton Crown Court was told.

Rebecca Hirst, prosecuting, said she was searching for shoplifters but came across 45-year-old Bleakley who turned to his dog and told it: “Attack! Attack!”

Ms Murphy backed off and was joined by colleague Jack Fisher.

The pair followed Bleakley, who then pulled out a machete, holding it in the air and swinging it as he crossed Topp Way before walking into the School Hill estate.

Police arrested Bleakley near the B&Q store, where he produced a lock knife and spat at an officer.

Bleakley, of St Stephen’s Close, Bolton, pleaded guilty to affray, assaulting a police officer, criminal damage to a police cell, using racially threatening words or behaviour and possessing a knife in public.

Mark Friend, defending, described Bleakley’s behaviour as erratic and irrational at a time when he was mentally unwell.

Recorder David Turner told Bleakley: “You pose a high risk to the public at this time. The facts of these offences are horrifying. I think you are a real danger.”

Bleakley was led shouting from the dock to start his prison sentence after Recorder Turner told him he had shown no remorse.