A MAN who groped a police sergeant and pinched her bottom has been spared jail by Burnley magistrates.

The court was told how John Paul Learoyd, 36, thrust his hand between the officer's legs and told her:"Get a load of this," as he struck in a police station custody office.

Learoyd had been arrested and taken to the station after attacking his former partner and leaving her scratched and bleeding.

He was given a 12 months community rehabilitation order, to include the Addressing Substance Related Offending Programme by the bench, who told him the attack on the policewoman was aggravated by the fact she was a public servant.

The defendant had admitted assault by beating and been convicted of indecent assault last December after denying the charge. He was told to pay £225 in costs and compensation.

Andy Robinson, prosecuting, told the court Learoyd grabbed his ex-girlfriend by the hair and shook her backwards and forwards.

He then kicked her in the back as she fell to the floor, leaving her with a bleeding nose and crying. Police arrived and Learoyd was arrested.

The victim suffered scratches on her face and her neck, shoulders and back were sore.

She was particularly worried about her back as she had a back problem.

Mr Robinson said the defendant was taken into custody. The police sergeant felt an arm around her and turned and saw Learoyd who smelled of drink. He then groped her and pinched her bottom.

The defendant walked away laughing and claimed he had only been joking but the officer was extremely offended and shocked.

Mark Williams, defending, said Learoyd, of Holme Street, Burnley, did not have a propensity towards violence.

He would say his former partner gave as good as she got at times, but that he was wrong on this occasion.

He had been visiting a friend when his ex-wife turned up. He had not gone looking for trouble.

She arrived at the house, there was an argument and he accepted his behaviour was inappropriate. Her injuries were relatively minor.

Mr Williams said the defendant maintained he did not indecently assault the police sergeant.

The solicitor went on: "The defendant needs to be made aware of what he has done in the past, what effect drink has and how other people feel."