A POLICEMAN dealing with a 13-year-old runaway was surrounded by Asian men and subjected to racist abuse by one of them.

Blackburn magistrates heard Tahir Hussain swore at the officer and told him to go ‘back to where you live’.

But Ian Huggan, defending, said his client had jumped in without knowing the full circumstances. Hussain, 30, of St James Road, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to racially aggravated disorderly behaviour.

He was given a conditional discharge for 12 months and ordered to pay £40 costs.

Scott Ainge, prosecuting, said PC Ben Dowling was asked to attend Whalley New Road due to concerns over the girl’s welfare. Her mother feared she might harm herself.

“He managed to find the girl and she became aggressive towards the officer when he spoke to her,” said Mr Ainge.

“At that point a large group of Asian males approached and the officer was subjected to racist comments.”

Mr Huggan said of Hussain: “He saw the officer approach the girl and she became distressed.”