A SOCIAL worker allegedly left two Armed Response Unit officers injured after police were called to a melee in a Burnley street, a jury was told.

The town's Crown Court heard that Muzammil Jaleel, 31, racially abused officers, lashed out and spat at them after they arrested a suspected car wrecker surrounded by an angry and threatening crowd.

The defendant allegedly put up an "unseemly struggle" before he was handcuffed and shouted and swore as he was led to the police vehicle.

Jaleel, who later claimed he was trying to calm the situation, said he thought the police were being too heavy handed with the man who he believed was mentally ill.

The defendant, of Elm Street, Burnley, denies two charges of racially aggravated common assault in March last year.

Jeremy Grout-Smith, prosecuting, told the court police were called to a disturbance on Elm Street. They were met by a hostile crowd of 20 to 30 men who were directing their attention to a man suspected of damaging cars on the street.

The man, Hussain Zafari, was on the ground, had blood on his hands and the angry crowd was gathered around him. He was arrested, put in a police car but smashed a window and climbed out.

Police tried to restrain Mr Zafari as he struggled to get away and the crowd became more agitated. Mr Zafari was thrashing around and was CS gassed but ran off. He was caught and put in a police van.

Mr Grout-Smith said the defendant took exception to the use of CS spray and racially-abused policer. He was asked to move away, but said he was a social worker, squared up to PC Christopher Bulcock and racially abused him. He was arrested, pushed an officer backwards and lashed out with his fists and feet.

PC Neil Munroe went to help, the three fell into a heap on the ground and Jaleel spat at both officers. He was handcuffed after a struggle and taken to the police station where he continued to be aggressive and offensive.

The prosecutor told the jury PC Bulcock suffered an injured finger while his colleague received a sore and grazed knee and thigh.

Mr Grout-Smith said when the defendant was interviewed he claimed he was not so much concerned about what Mr Zafari had done to his car as about the fact he might be attacked by the gang on the street.

Jaleel said he thought Mr Zafari had mental health problems and was trying to calm things. The prosecutor said Mr Zafari did have mental problems and the case against against him was eventually dismissed.

Mr Grout-Smith said Jaleel claimed he had seen two officers on top of the man and another spraying him with CS gas. He shouted because he believed the police were being too heavy handed.

The defendant told officers the next thing he knew police went over to him, pulled out handcuffs and tried to restrain him. He was angry and struggled.

Jaleel alleged he tried to push an officer away and that he was abusive but denied it had any racial element. He claimed he was called a "wog" by one of the officers, alleged the police spat back but denied lashing out.

The defendant claimed the officers' injuries must have happened when he tried to stop the police from handcuffing him.

Mr Grout-Smith told the jury Jaleel showed hostility towards white people.

The defendant claimed he was acting in self defence or that what the police say happened did not occur.

(Proceeding)