A TOP judge today urged East Lancashire people to back the police or face anarchy after he sentenced two men who beat up a community bobby.

Judge Raymond Bennett said those who did not support the police were on a "very rocky road" and stressed the law had to be upheld.

Burnley Crown Court had been told how PC Nicholas Fisher was left injured after he went to arrest Alhaj Mahmud, 21, last November 4. Mahmud "laid into" the officer with a weapon and Ajad Miah, 17, then joined in, setting about PC Fisher from behind. The attack was said to have left the officer, who received head, shoulder and back injuries, suffering post traumatic stress syndrome.

Judge Bennett told Mahmud: "I don't know what sort of society you want but we have to have policemen to deal with those who are not prepared to conform with what the rest want. "

The judge said PC Fisher had just been doing his job when he was set upon, but for his pains he got a good beating. He had been upset by the assault both mentally and physically, had relived his ordeal over and over again and had since lost his confidence.

Mahmud, of Throstle Close, Burnley, who has been in custody for six and half months, won his freedom.

The defendant was given a 12 month community rehabilitation order but Judge Bennett said he wanted it known he was only imposing a non-custodial term because Mahmud had already served the equivalent of a 13 month jail term behind bars.

He told Mahmud ;"I hope that by talking to a probation officer you will perhaps learn the law has to be upheld. We have to support the police because if you don't you are on the road to anarchy."

Mahmud had earlier admitted assault causing actual bodily harm, criminal damage and escape.

The judge gave Miah, who has been on bail, a four month detention and training order. He said the defendant had taken part in hitting PC Fisher and had struck him from behind.

Judge Bennett told the court Miah had not been the one who used a weapon and that he had come across the arrest being made.

He said the courts could not be seen to be "letting off," people who took part in attacks on police officers. Miah, of Cromwell Street, Burnley, had earlier pleaded guilty to assault causing actual bodily harm.