A YOB terrorised a Burnley Council dog warden in the most frightening confrontation of her entire career, a court heard.

Angry Kurt Swindlehurst, 23, threatened to smash Jane Grady's face in as she was taking his Staffordshire Bull Terrier, which had been found wandering alone, to her van.

The victim, who had known of the defendant for a number of years because of his 'reputation and record' was scared he would carry out his threat, Burnley Crown Court heard.

Swindlehurst, who was subject to a suspended jail term at the time and has 43 offences on his record, received three months in prison, suspended for a year, with 12 months' supervision and 190 hours unpaid work.

The defendant, of Cog Lane, Burnley, had been convicted of using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour on June 2 and had been committed for sentence by Pennine magistrates.

Stephen Parker, prosecuting, said Ms Grady was on Cog Lane at about 10am when she saw the dog loose.

She put it on a lead to take it to her van to see if it was microchipped or had any form of identification.

She was then approached by the defendant, who ran towards her in an aggressive way and snatched the lead.

Swindlehurst went up to her face and pointed a finger at her, swearing and threatening: "I'm going to smash your face in."

Mr Parker said: "She said his manner and posturing frightened her and she was in fear of the threat being carried out. He said if the police arrived, he would take them on as well."

Mr Parker said Ms Grady told the police it was not uncommon to be challenged by members of the public but he added: "She says never in her entire council service has she been as frightened as she was on this particular occasion."

Richard Taylor, for Swindlehurst, said it was not necessary to activate the suspended sentence.

He said: "He got very upset that his dog was going to be taken away because he knew it would cost him £75 to retrieve the dog and it's simply money he doesn't have."

Passing sentence, Recorder Peter Atherton said: "This was an offence on a person appointed by the community to serve the community.

"It seems to me in these circumstances the punishment should also be served in the community and be seen to be served in the community.

"Frightening, intimidating and aggressive behaviour towards public servants is a serious matter because it's an offence against the community, not just these individual people."