A MAN arrested for a public order offence spat at a police officer while they were waiting for a secure van to take him to the station.

Blackburn magistrates heard Dominic Ashley Potter was found standing in the street shouting obscenities.

Potter, 30, of Norfolk Grove, Accrington, pleaded guilty to being drunk and disorderly and assaulting an emergency worker.

He was made subject to a community order for 12 months with 30 days Rehabilitation Activity Requirement and an electronically monitored alcohol abstinence order for 90 days. He was ordered to pay £100 compensation to the officer, £85 costs and £95 victim surcharge.

Wakkas Javed, prosecuting, said police were called to a report of a man in the street shouting and swearing. When police arrived Potter ran off but was detained after a short chase.

Potter, who was not represented, said he was sorry for what he had done.