A 23-YEAR-OLD man struggled violently with police officers called to a disturbance outside the Salvation Army hostel in Blackburn where he was staying.

Blackburn magistrates heard after his arrest Charles Alexander Firth was taken to Greenbank police station where he headbutted a detention officer.

Firth, of Heaton Street, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to being drunk and disorderly in Heaton Street and assaulting Kenny Simpson.

He was made subject to community supervision for 18 months and ordered to pay £100 compensation and £60 costs.

Catherine Allan, prosecuting, said Firth was ‘growling like an animal’ during his struggle with the police. He was thrashing around as the officers tried to handcuff him and he tried to spit at them.

One officer slapped him across the back of the head and then punched him to try and gain compliance. He was eventually PAVA-sprayed and handcuffs applied.

Ian Church-Taylor, defending, said Firth did not normally behave in the way that was described by the prosecution.

“He had been drinking heavily, something he doesn’t usually do,” said Mr Church-Taylor. “He says he was punched several times during his arrest but makes no complaint about that.”