A man who had been arrested and placed in the back of a police van showered an officer with vile racist abuse.

Blackburn magistrates heard Ben Porter had been arrested because he was outside his parents’ home shouting and swearing and they wanted him removed.

Porter, 32, of Peel Gardens, Accrington, pleaded guilty to racially aggravated threatening behaviour.

He was made subject to a community order for 12 months with a three-month alcohol treatment requirement and 15 days rehabilitation activity requirement. He was ordered to pay £50 compensation to the officer.

Victoria Forrest, prosecuting, said police were called to Peel Gardens on Saturday night. They had attended earlier in the day and removed Porter at the request of his parents.

“When officers arrived for the second time that day he was outside the address shouting and swearing,” said Miss Forrest.

“The officers arrested him for a breach of the peace so they could remove him from the area. He was placed in the back of a van and on the way to the police station repeatedly racially abused one of the officers.”

Laura Heywood, defending, said her client had had issues with the same officer in the past.

“He says the officer said something to him and he responded with the language you have heard about,” said Miss Heywood.

“He was going through a very stressful time and decided to take it out on the officer. It was all inside the van and there was never any risk of violence towards the officers.”