A DRUNKEN man spat blood in an officer's face when police were called after he attacked a pub landlord.

Burnley Magistrates heard how Daniel Lee Machin later laughed and said it sounded like something he would do when he was drunk.

Machin, who had slung a bar stool at the licensee of the Clayton Arms, Nelson, was jailed for a total of six months.

The defendant, of no fixed address, admitted assault by beating and two charges of police assault on January 31, failing to surrender and failing to comply with a 100-hour community punishment order.

Mercedah Jabbari, prosecuting, told the court that landlord David Coupe asked Machin to leave after he shouted at staff and he became aggressive and abusive.

As Mr Coupe went to phone police, Machin threw two punches at him and then slung the bar stool, hitting him on the shoulder and arm. The defendant was wrestled to the floor by customers.

Officers noticed he smelled strongly of drink and his nose was bleeding. As they tried to handcuff him, Machin spat blood in one officer's face and then spat at the other officer.

Miss Jabbari said Machin threatened: "I will kill all of you," and was screaming and shouting on his way to the police station.

He was interviewed and when the officers' statements were read out to him, he laughed and said it was something he would do when he was drunk. He then apologised for his conduct.

Machin, who has 14 previous convictions, also breached a community punishment order, imposed after he attacked his sister and punched her mirror.

David Lawson, defending, said Machin accepted his behaviour was totally inappropriate and he felt remorse and shame.