A 23-YEAR-OLD man rushed to help his brother when he saw him struggling with police officers on the doorstep.

Blackburn magistrates heard Usman Khan launched a sustained attack on an officer who was trying to arrest his sibling, punching him in the face repeatedly.

And the officer eventually had to respond by punching his attacker back.

Khan, of Fountain Street, Accrington, pleaded guilty to assaulting a police officer with intent to resist arrest.

He was made subject to community supervision for 12 month with 20 rehabilitation activity days, fined £40 with £50 compensation, £85 costs and £85 victim surcharge.

Tracy Yates, prosecuting, said police had attended an address in Richmond Avenue at about 3.20pm to progress inquiries about the defendant's brother Rohaid.

"Rohaid answered the door and was arrested but resisted verbally and physically," said Mrs Yates. "As the officer was struggling with the brother he saw the defendant out of the corner of his eye and he was then subjected to a number of blows to his face as he tried to control Rohaid.

"In his defence the officer punched the defendant back."

Graeme Parkinson, defending, said his client had been in bed and looked out of the window when he heard a commotion outside.

"He rushed out and became involved for what he perceived to be the protection of his brother who was having an altercation with a police officer," said Mr Parkinson.

Passing sentence the chairman of the magistrates said it was accepted Khan was trying to protect his brother but now realised the police were only doing their job.