A DRUNKEN lout who attacked two female police officers and racially abused a pub bouncer after a night on the town, has been jailed.

Burnley magistrates heard how ‘out-of-control’ Thomas Jennings, 30, punched PC Kiara Hughes in the face, leaving her with a bust lip and and pulled her colleague's hair out.

Jennings, who had to be pepper sprayed twice and hit with a baton during the prolonged early hours violence, was finally detained by other officers.

Jennings, of Chapel Street, Nelson, had admitted two counts of police assault and racially-aggravated threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour. He was jailed for 18 weeks.

Alex Mann, prosecuting, said at about 2.30am, bouncers at Walkabout, on Hargreaves Street, Burnley, refused to let him in because of his behaviour.

Two police officers overheard a doorman being racially abused and went to speak to the defendant.

He would not calm down, called them names and made offensive remarks.

The prosecutor said: “This was quite a nasty incident, a sustained attack, with deliberate punches to female officers who were obviously going about their duties at a busy time.”

Jennings had a record, mostly for drugs offences.

David Lawson, for Jennings, said he had a lengthy record and the offences were serious.

His recollection was very vague, but he didn't seek to try to persuade the Bench to deal with him in any other way than custody.

The solicitor said: “He realises what he did was totally abhorrent and without justification.

"He was distressed when he learned what he had done.”

Mr Lawson said Jennings, who suffered anxiety and depression, thought he had conquered his problems and had not taken his medication.

His brother had died and he thought underlying factors may have contributed to what happened.

The justices told the defendant: “This was a terrible incident and completely unacceptable.”