A MAN who attacked police and used his bull mastiff dogs as "weapons" against them has been made the subject of a hospital order.

Wayne Birtwell, 24, had been on bail for spraying a police officer with pepper spray when one of his dogs sank its teeth into an officer on the day of the Burnley v Ipswich game, last August.

Police say the defendant then went for two officers with a home-made keyring-type weapon, which had several lethal fish hooks attacked.

Birtwell, of Holmsley Street, Burnley, was convicted of assault with intent to resist arrest, making use of a firearm, allegations of assault causing actual bodily harm, affray and possessing an offensive weapon. He will now receive treatment at the Scott Clinic in Merseyside Judge Heather Lloyd made a hospital order after reading reports from two psychiatrists who said his condition could not be managed safely outside a hospital setting.

The judge said the defendant did not believe he was unwell when he struck last summer, but he had long-standing mental health issues not helped by drink and drugs. He had not complied with medication in the past.

Judge Lloyd added that if Birtwell did not take this opportunity, the courts would have no further option but to lock him up for a long time.

Burnley Crown Court had been told how last June 19, the defendant grabbed a parva spay off a police officer and sprayed PC Joanne Robson after she went to arrest him for kicking in a door.

Police say two months later, last August 16, Birtwell was in Yorkshire Street in Burnley, walking in the opposite direction to football fans.

He goaded his mastiff cross type dogs towards mounted officers, they challenged him and he shouted at the animals to go and get the police. One of the officers ended up being bitten.

Other officers became involved as the defendant struggled as they tried to handcuff him. He then produced a large keyring type instrument with fish hooks attached and swung it at the officers. It became embedded in two officers' hands.

Amanda Johnson, for Birtwell, said he had been on medication whilst in custody.

After the case police said there were civil court proceedings to try and get the dogs put down. Birtwell has contested the case.

DC Andy Ashworth said there was a history of the dogs attacking people and there was CCTV footage of them attacking a man walking his dog just before the match that day.