A MAN who shouted abuse and threats at a couple has been branded “pathetic” by a judge.

Bolton Crown Court heard how 28-year-old father-of-two Patrick McCann turned on Charlotte Carter and Michael Stanley as they stood outside a hairdressers in Plodder Lane, Farnworth.

Patrick Williamson, prosecuting, said McCann was opposite the shop waiting to meet his former partner at lunchtime on June 19 last year, but became agitated when she did not turn up.

He confronted the couple who he thought were looking at him and approached them with clenched fists, shouting abuse, including racial insults at Mr Stanley.

He then warned them he would kill them if they called the police.

McCann pleaded guilty to two public order offences, one of which was racially aggravated.

Judge Peter Davies said: “Just because someone didn’t turn up for an appointment you decided to go off on one. It’s pathetic Mr McCann.”

McCann was given a 21-month prison sentence, suspended for two years and ordered to do 200 hours unpaid work.