A man who was causing problems at the Clitheroe Food Festival kicked a police officer and attempted to headbutt a security officer working at the event.

Blackburn Magistrates' Court heard Sam Parkington had to be pepper sprayed during his arrest and placed in handcuffs.

Parkington, 28, of Curzon Street, Clitheroe, admitted to assaulting an emergency worker and the security guard and using threatening behaviour.

He was given an eight-week suspended prison sentence, with a 15-day rehabilitation activity requirement and six-month drug rehabilitation activity requirement.

He was ordered to pay £100 compensation to the police officer and £50 each to the security guard and a special constable involved in the incident.

Scott Parker, prosecuting, said Dion Ballaca was working as a festival security officer when he received a report of an incident at So Bar in the Ribble Valley town.

He could see the defendant was struggling with a special constable and went to assist the officer.

“As he was taken to the ground he flung his head back in an attempt to butt Mr Ballaca,” said Mr Parker.

“A police officer arrived and the defendant was verbally aggressive. As he was being arrested he kicked out, catching the officer on the thigh.”

Gareth Price, mitigating, said his client recognised there would have been families and children attending the festival and they would not have wanted to witness the unsavoury incident.

“He has good support from his family to help him with his drink and drug problems,” said Mr Price.