A DRUNKEN man who started fight in a taxi office has had sentence adjourned.

Damian John Cockings, 22, has an interview for work as a fork lift truck driver lined up and Burnley Magistrates said they didn't want to stand in his way.

Cockings, who jumped on a taxi bonnet and attacked a driver, had earlier admitted resisting or obstructing a police officer, destroying or damaging property, using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour and common assault. The defendant, of Harold Street, Burnley, was bailed until February 12.

Andy Robinson, prosecuting, told the court Cockings turned up at A and B Taxis in Burnley at 1.10am and tried to stop a cab moving away.

He jumped on the vehicle, egged on by another man and driver Christopher Arthur radioed for help. His colleague Imran Shazad went to his aid and held onto the defendant's arms. Cockings then struck him on the cheek and then repeatedly hit him in the face and head.

Cockings and the other man left but then returned to the taxi rank. He followed Mr Shazad into the office, pushed him, climbed on top of him but was pulled away.

Mr Robinson said when Mr Shazad got to his feet, the defendant tried to make a grab for him and then pulled him.

The prosecutor said police arrived and Mr Shazad was found to have suffered a sore and reddened left cheek and swollen shoulders.

The defendant was very drunk, was incoherent, smelled heavily of drunk and swore at police.