A CRIMINAL who racially abused a police officer while subject to a suspended jail sentence has been jailed for eight months.

Burnley Crown Court heard David Rickwood, 20, used offensive comments along with BNP jibes after he was arrested.

The court was told the victim was used to abuse in his job but he was no doubt caused considerable distress.

Rickwood, said to have a drink problem, had been given several chances by the court but had failed to take them.

The defendant, of Greenock Close, Burnley, had admitted theft and racially aggravated using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour and had been committed for sentence by Burnley magistrates.

Rickwood, who had spent 34 days in custody, had been in breach of a 12-month jail term, suspended for two years, imposed last September for theft, burglary and two counts of failing to surrender.

Recorder Maurice Greene said Rickwood had breached his suspended term by not attending the programme he had been required to.