A SUSPECTED burglar butted a police officer after he was arrested and refused to get out of a police van.

Burnley magistrates heard Brian Cooper, 26, had been shouting and aggressive and told the officer: "You are going to get it."

Cooper, of Railway Road, Colne, admitted police assault and was given a 12 months conditional discharge, with £65 costs.

Philippa White, prosecuting, told the court that around 5.30am, police were called to reports of a break-in at a sports club and came across the defendant in the area.

He was arrested in relation to the offence and, having been cautioned, swore. He was put in handcuffs and taken to Burnley custody office. He then refused to get out of the police van. An officer got into the back to escort him from the vehicle, but the defendant lunged forward, was aggressive and was taken to a cell. Mrs White said the police officer was still with Cooper and he was then butted just above the left eye.

Brian Irlam, defending, said Cooper became agitated and behaved in the way he did because of the way he was treated by the police.

He was arrested for no reason whatsoever and that was borne out by the fact no other charges were pending.

The solicitor added the butt was not deliberate. Cooper had started to move his head from side to side and conceded he had caught one of the officers what was described as a glancing blow.

There was no suggestion the officer sustained injury. The offence was an isolated lapse on Cooper's part and would not be repeated.