A man who racially abused a police officer who was taking him to hospital has been jailed.

Blackburn Magistrates' Court heard how Ian Gibbons had suffered injuries after his daughter hit him over the head with a vodka bottle.

Gibbons, 56, of Dunoon Drive, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to two charges of racially aggravated threatening behaviour and breach of a restraining order.

Hewas jailed for 16 weeks after the court heard the offences put him in breach of a suspended prison sentence.

Antonia Walters, prosecuting, said police were called to an address in Colne where a female said she had been assaulted by her father.

She declined to make a statement so Gibbons was not charged with assault.

Police discovered Gibbons was subject to a restraining order which prohibited him having any contact with his daughter and he was arrested.

It was after the arrest and on the journey to hospital that Gibbons used a racial slur towards an officer of South Asian heritage.

Miss Walters said: "He had significant injuries and the police were taking him to hospital which is when he became abusive and made certain comments."

Miss Walters said the suspended prison sentence had been imposed in February for a previous breach of the restraining order.

Neil Howard, offering mitigation, said it was a complex situation involving Gibbons and his daughter.

The restraining order had originally been made because of an offence against his former partner, his daughter's mother.

"Her mother passed away in February and the first breach occurred when my client was trying to help his daughter deal with that loss," said Mr Howard.

"She subsequently moved to Colne and was having difficulties with another female. She feared for her safety and contacted her father."

Mr Howard said Gibbons loved his daughter and had gone to her assistance despite the restraining order.

"They had both been drinking and, under the influence of alcohol, she hit him with a vodka bottle," said Mr Howard.

"Had the bottle smashed he would have lost an eye."

Mr Howard said that what happened after that was hard to excuse.

"He was upset and lashed out verbally at the female police officer," said Mr Howard. "In the sober light of day he was shocked by the language he used towards the officer and he is genuinely remorseful.

"He realises the officer was taking him to hospital to assist him and he regrets his actions."