A BUSINESSMAN who fractured a policeman's nose during a serious public order incident at Longridge has been sentenced to "weekend prison".

Francis Greaves threw a punch which left a police constable needing an operation.

He was sentenced to sixty days in prison, spread across thirty six weeks, to be served at weekends in Kirkham Prison, Preston.

In addition, the judge directed that he should pay his victim £1,000 compensation and also meet £1,000 prosecution costs.

Greaves, 50, of Cowhill, Grimsargh, had denied assault occasioning actual bodily harm, but was convicted following a Preston Crown Court trial.

Several other people have already been sentenced for their part in the scenes which occurred in the Derby Road area of Longridge on September 7 last year.

Judge Edward Slinger said it had been a "thoroughly unpleasant" breach of public order in a public place with police being set upon.

PC Michael Rose went to try and help a colleague and the defendant crossed the road and struck him in temper. Police reinforcements were sought to deal with the incident.