A "Jekyll and Hyde" alcoholic who racially abused a police officer appeared in court for the second time in two days.

On Monday Burnley Crown Court gave Patrick Healey a two year community order with supervision, for burglary.

The day after, he was at the town's magistrates court. Healey, 34, of Herbert Street, Burnley, admitted being drunk and disorderly and racially aggravated threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour.

He was given a 24 month supervision order and told to pay £30 costs.

Wendy Chappell, prosecuting, said PC Hanif Patel spotted Healey standing on a street corner, with a bottle of alcohol.

He was very rowdy, was told to calm down but continued to swear. Two children nearby were upset and had to be told to go away.

The defendant approached the officer, clenching his fist and PC Patel pushed him away and asked for help. Healey continued to struggle and was put in the police van.

Mrs Chappell said Healey continued his abuse at the station, was warned about his behaviour and when told he was being arrested for racial conduct, abused the officer again.

When the defendant was questioned, he said he did not consider himself to be falling down drunk. He claimed the officer had stopped him a number of times in recent weeks and he believed he was being picked on.

Healey, who had 22 previous convictions, did not think he was a racist.

Trevor Grice, defending, said Healey had a long-standing alcohol problem. He had sought the help of his GP and the alcohol services and had dundergone voluntary detoxification.

Mr Grice continued: "He is a Jekyll and Hyde character. The worst parts of his personality comes out through drink."