A CONVICTED robber who terrorised a shop assistant and then threatened a police officer was jailed for 56 days.

Burnley magistrates heard alcoholic Stephen Charles Nicol, 46 -- who had been out of prison for just two weeks -- left Victoria Gamble shaking with fear at SupaSnaps Ltd, Rawtenstall.

He then lunged towards the police officer and had to be sprayed with CS gas.

Nicol, of Hill Street, Crawshawbooth admitted using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour.

Bill Maude, prosecuting, told the court when the officer arrived he found the defendant crouching inside, clearly drunk. He tried to speak to him but was abused.

Miss Gamble was visibly shaking and the officer tried to reason with the defendant and offered him a lift home. But Nicol would not reveal where he lived.

Mr Maude said he then stepped towards the officer, shouting and swearing. Nicol lunged, was hit by the CS gas and handcuffed.

Nicol is now back in custody after having been recalled to serve the rest of his four-year sentence because of the offence.

James Young, defending, said Nicol had been released from prison on February 24. A chronic alcoholic since 1995, he had been clean but on the day of the offence had been drinking again.

His sentence was due to expire in February 2006 and Nicol accepted he would get another prison term.