A TEENAGER who waged a war against Lancashire Police was slammed "a drunken lout" by a judge, who warned he would not tolerate his behaviour.

District Judge Paul Firth told 19-year-old Garth Antony Rowbottom the defendant thought he was always right and police officers were always wrong.

Burnley Magistrates Court heard Rowbottom was involved in three bouts of trouble involving one officer, PC Justin Fraser, and in one incident sank his teeth into his finger.

He claimed he had got the officer warned, told others they would lose their jobs and screamed down the phone to his mother he was being beaten up by police.

Rowbottom, who has not fallen foul of the law since February, and has got two jobs, was spared jail but left court with the judge's stern words ringing in his ears.

Rowbottom, of Kirkhill Avenue, Haslingden, had admitted two counts of resisting a police officer on January 11.

He was convicted by the court of police assault after pleading not guilty and admitted using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour on February 16. He was given 150 hours community punishment and told to pay £250 compensation and £200 costs.

Mercedah Jabbari, prosecuting, told the court two officers were injured in one melee.

One had a scratched hand while the other was dragged along the icy ground by the defendant after he had grabbed him and was holding onto his jacket. He received grazes to his elbows and knees.

Peter Antrobus, defending, said at one stage Rowbottom had been arrested almost every time he went out and his details were posted in pubs throughout Rossendale.