A BURNLEY FC youngsters' soccer coach involved in an early hours rumpus twice tried to headbutt a police officer, a court was told.

The town's magistrates heard Bradley Pates, 23, was then said to have been "spitting blood," from his mouth around a police personnel carrier after his arrest in Burnley town centre.

Pates, a sports science student who teaches football voluntarily, admitted being drunk and disorderly. The defendant, of Delamere Road, Briercliffe, was given a 12 month conditional discharge with £55 costs.

Andy Robinson, prosecuting, said police saw an altercation. The defendant was trying to get at a man and was being restrained by two women.

Pates was threatening and aggressive, was continually shouting obscenities and was asked to calm down. He went as if to butt an officer and was told he would be arrested.

The defendant continued to struggle, refused to comply with the police and made a further attempt at butting the officer who had to put up his arms to protect himself.

Mr Robinson added the officer punched Pates in the face as he continued to be aggressive.

The defendant was spitting blood from his mouth all over the police vehicle.

Sue Robinson, defending, said Pates had no previous convictions for violence. He, his girlfriend and her sister were on their way home after going out and two unknown males decided to urinate in the street.

The two women were quite upset about that and the sister made a comment about disgusting behaviour. She was met with a barrage of abuse and the two men then barged into the women and became abusive.

Pates was just trying to protect the women. Pates was not to blame for the start of the incident and was upset and even more surprised when police simply sent the two men on their way and he was arrested.

He tried to explain what had happened but the police did not want to listen.

Miss Robinson said the defendant was forcibly pushed into the back of the police van, pushed up against a window and his watch was damaged beyond repair. He denied any attempt to butt the officer as that was not something he would do.

Pates accepted he was raising his voice but was very upset and wanted to know why he had been arrested.

The solicitor added Pates claimed the police officer punched him three times in the face and he had complained to the custody sergeant as soon as he arrived at the police station. The complaint was continuing.

Miss Robinson said Pates wanted to work with children when he finished university and knew the conviction would not do him any favours when he was looking for employment.

He was a part-time teacher of football at Burnley Football Club and that voluntary position was going to be in jeopardy.