A man involved in a late night disturbance lashed out at police officers as they arrested him.

Blackburn magistrates heard Corey Ball punched one officer in the face and kicked another on the leg as he was being placed in a van.

Ball, 18, of Spenser Street, Padiham, admitted to two charges of assaulting an emergency worker. He was made subject to a 12-month community order with a 20-day rehabilitation activity requirement and fined £120. A criminal damage charge to a Range Rover was withdrawn.

Suzanne Byrne, prosecuting, said police were called to reports of damage being caused in Accrington town centre. When they arrived there was a fight going on and during that they arrested Ball on suspicion of causing damage.

“As he was being taken to a police van he punched one officer in the face and kicked another on the leg,” said Miss Byrne. “There were no specific injuries to the officers but it clearly caused them distress.”

Peter King, defending, said his client had been arrested on suspicion of causing the damage, something he had always denied.

“That charge has been withdrawn today,” said Mr King. “He didn’t take kindly to being arrested for something he hadn’t done and accepts the assaults. He was clearly a suspect and the officers were entitled to arrest him."