Former pro footballer accused of police assault

9:32pm Wednesday 9th January 2008

A RETIRED professional footballer is alleged to have slapped a woman police officer across the face when she told him to stop urinating in the street.

Former Burnley and Blackburn Rovers player Kevin Hird appeared before Burnley Magistrates accused of police assault.

The veteran player is alleged to have been urinating in a side street in Windy Bank, Colne, when a woman police officer saw him.

Police said the officer gave him a warning at the scene but he lashed out and hit the PC.

Hird, 52, of Colne Road, Sough, near Kelbrook, was arrested at 10.45pm on December 16.

A police spokesman said: "He was arrested on December 16 and charged with a assaulting a police constable.

"It relates to an incident in Windy Bank, Colne when a police officer warned him for urinating in a public place.

"We believe that she was slapped across the face in execution of her duty."

The former Colne Dynamoes player, who now plays for Kelbrook Reserves in the East Lancashire League reserve division, did not enter a plea and was given unconditional bail until January 15.

Hird was born in Colne and played across East Lancashire in his professional career.

The former midfielder and defender played for Blackburn Rovers from 1973 to 1979 where scored 20 goals for the club.

He was sold for £35,700 to Leeds United in 1979 where he played for five years and scored 21 goals.

He left the club in 1984 and began playing for Burnley.

He retired from the club in 1986 after scoring 23 goals.

Latest blogs and columns