AN irate motorist who slammed his car door into a traffic warden's leg was jailed for five months by Blackburn magistrates.

The court heard that Sajid Khan Akram tore up a parking ticket and yelled abuse at the warden before the assault.

And the court was told that Akram, who was disqualified at the time, was caught behind the wheel again eight months later.

Akram, 25, of Brunel Walk, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to assault and driving while disqualified and without insurance in November 2002 and driving while disqualified and without insurance in July.

He was sentenced to four months for the assault with a further month for non-payment of fines.

David Hartley, prosecuting, said traffic warden Malcolm Royal had issued a parking ticket to a car parked opposite the vehicle entrance to the three-day market.

As he turned to leave Akram approached demanding to know what he was doing. He suggested that the warden should pay attention to other vehicles and became abusive.

"He removed the fixed penalty ticket and tore it in pieces before throwing it on the floor," said Mr Hartley. "The warden was about two feet from the driver's door when Akram opened it, catching the warden on the knee. He then drove off."

Kevin Preston, defending, said that at the time of the incident involving the traffic warden Akram was not aware that he was disqualified from driving.

He said Akram denied ripping up the ticket but accepted he had become belligerent.