A POLICE officer helping to deal with a serious late night crash was accosted by a drunken man.

Blackburn magistrates heard Taylor Pilkington had blood on his chin and told the officer, who was directing traffic, he needed a doctor.

He was told to leave but started trying to grab the officer’s radio.

Pilkington, 25, of Calf Hey, Clayton-le-Moors, pleaded guilty to assaulting an emergency worker. He was made subject to a community order with 60 hours unpaid work and ordered to pay £85 costs and £95 victim surcharge.

Jade Coleman, prosecuting, said the officer was helping to deal with the incident at 1am when he was approached by the defendant.

“He was clearly intoxicated,” said Miss Coleman. “He had some blood under his chin and shouted that he wanted a doctor.”

He was told to leave but started grabbing at the officer’s radio and pushed him.

“The officer had to restrain him against a wall before arresting him,” said Miss Coleman. “He has no previous convictions.”

Pilkington, who was not represented, said the offence was out of character. He said he had written a letter of apology which he would like to give to the officer.

“It happened a couple of months ago and I am still very shocked and sorry that it happened,” he said.