A POLICE officer who warned a drunken man three times about his behaviour was punched in the face for his trouble.

But as Kevin Barry Murray tried to run away from the scene he was grabbed by a taxi driver who had witnessed the incident.

Blackburn magistrates heard that before he had gone out drinking in Blackburn centre Murray had downed a full bottle of Jack Daniels.

And he later told police he could remember nothing of what had happened after he entered the Liquid Club, St Peter Street, or what happened after he had been ejected.

Murray, 24, of Burnley Close, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to assaulting PC Matthew Whitworth.

He was made subject to a weekend curfew for three months and ordered to pay £200 compensation and £65 costs.

Neil Standage, prosecuting, said door staff at the club had ejected Murray and PC Whitworth had advised him to go home on two occasion.

"He tried to get back into the club and for a third time the officer took him away and advised him to leave the area," said Mr Standage.

"He thanked the officer for his patience by thumping him in the face."

Mr Standage said as Murray tried to run away a taxi driver jumped out of his car and managed to detain Murray until officers caught up.

Jonathan Taylor, defending, said Murray was full of genuine remorse for what happened.

"He is diabetic and shouldn't have been drinking to that level of excess for health reasons," said Mr Taylor.

"Thankfully there were no serious injuries to the officer."

Mr Taylor said his client had broken his wrist during the incident although he couldn't remember how it had happened.

"He has not been able to work since December 22 which is punishment in itself," he added.