BLACKBURN Rovers star Bradley Dack has apologised after appearing in court for failing to comply with his community service court order.

Blackburn magistrates were told it was the third breach of the order, imposed for an assault on a police officer last September, and Dack was “terrified” at the prospect of going to prison.

The court heard Dack had “buried his head in the sand” over the requirement for him to carry out the unpaid work.

Rovers boss Tony Mowbray was in court yesterday to speak up for his star player who he said was loved by everyone at the club.

District Judge James Clarke said it was clear Dack had the support of the club and there was more benefit in the order being completed rather than Dack being jailed.

After the hearing, Dack said: “I am truly sorry about this matter.

“I have no excuses and will accept the additional punishment handed down to me today.

“I would like to apologise to the court and to Blackburn Rovers Football Club for any embarrassment caused.

“As expressed in court, I am committed to completing my community order and will do so in the time limit imposed.

“I want to thank the club and my family for dealing with this matter quickly.

“It’s important now that I get my head down and concentrate on my football.”

Dack, 24, of The Moorings, Worsley, Manchester, admitted breach of the order.

The duration of the order was extended by six months and an extra 80 hours of unpaid work added.

Charlie Roberts, prosecuting for the probation service, said the original order had been imposed on October 19 for an assault on a police officer.

One hundred hours’ unpaid work had been ordered and a further 20 hours added when Dack appeared in court for each of the subsequent breaches.

Mr Roberts said that of the 140 hours’ only 41 had been completed.

“His offender-manager has bent over backwards to try to accommodate him because he is a professional footballer,” said Mr Roberts.

“The supervising officer says he has shown a blatant disregard for his order.”

Lisa Judge, defending, said Dack had only just told his parents and Blackburn magistrates about the position he was in.

“It is a classic case of a young man burying his head in the sand,” said Miss Judge.

“He may be seen as a professional footballer who believes he is above the law but that is not the case.

“He is terrified of what may happen today.”

She said Dack was aware that compliance was down to him but now, for the first time, there was a support network in place to assist him.

Mr Mowbray told the court that the players and staff at the club loved Dack, who he described as having an infectious personality.

He said now he was aware of the situation he would be personally involved in ensuring the player’s compliance.

“I can feel the remorse, the fear and the desperation in him,” said Mr Mowbray.

“I need to make sure I look after him but, hopefully, he will learn from the position he is in this morning.”

A Rovers spokesman said: “Bradley Dack has today pleaded guilty in court to breaching a community order imposed on him last October.

“The club will work closely with Bradley

to ensure that he adheres to a strict timetable over the next seven months in order to fulfil his sentence.”

Dack joined Rovers in 2017 and has scored 20 goals in 45 appearances.

His performances last season earned him the League One player of the year crown and a new, improved contract from the football club.