A MAN who inadvertently smoked a few drags of spice came round in his room thinking he had died.

Blackburn magistrates heard Martin Robert Matthews was saying goodbye to his family and wondering whether he was going to heaven or hell.

When police came to arrest him he thought they were there to take him to one of the after-life destinations.

Matthews, 37, of Hill View Hotel, Preston New Road, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to assault without beating of Murtza Hussain, the hotel owner. He was given a conditional discharge for 18 months and ordered to pay £85 costs and £22 victim surcharge.

Deputy District Judge Michael Hopkinson, who passed sentence after hearing Matthews was being recalled on prison licence, said it had been a curious incident.

"Mr Hussain must have been alarmed to have you ranting and raving uncontrollably in his premises," he said.

Scott Parker, prosecuting, said Mr Hussain was in his hotel at about 9.10 pm when he heard shouting and screaming from the top of the stairs on the first floor.

"He initially thought it was two guests having a fight but when he went upstairs the defendant was the only person there," said Mr Parker.

Matthews was screaming, asking where he was and told Mr Hussain not to come near him.

"He then started to growl and hit the wall and started walking towards Mr Hussain with his fists clenched," said Mr Parker. "Mr Hussain was fearful he was going to be hit and eventually took hold of the defendant and put him to the floor."

Mark Williams, defending, said his client had been living at the Hill View since his release from prison and had been doing well. He had signed on at the job centre, was engaging with Inspire, the drink and drug agency, and providing negative drug tests.

"He had no issues at all with Mr Hussain," said Mr Williams.

On the night of the incident he went outside for a smoke and one of the other residents had what appeared to be a cannabis joint.

"He was offered a drag which he took," said Mr Williams. "He said it didn't taste like cannabis and handed it back. The next thing he woke up in his room believing he had died. I suspect what he had smoked was spice although he doesn't know because he has never used it before. He says if that is what it was he will never touch it again."

Mr Williams said his client couldn't explain why he acted the way he did towards Mr Hussain.

"The whole incident was over in a minute but he describes it as frightening," said Mr Williams.