A POLICE sergeant was threatened as he tried to make an arrest after a man had died, a court was told.

Burnley magistrates heard how the officer had to fend off Patrick Joseph Healey, 29, who was shouting abuse and threats in Albert Street, Burnley, last Friday.

Healey, of Leyland Road, Burnley, admitted obstructing a police officer. The defendant, who has previous convictions for police assault, was given a two year conditional discharge.

Andy Robinson, prosecuting, said the sergeant was arresting a man who was 'actively resisting' and a crowd had gathered.

The defendant became involved and told the officer: "Get off him or I will have you." The sergeant had to fend him off.

John Nuttall, defending, said a friend of Healey's had died and various people had been arrested, initially for murder.

The area was tense, the defendant was there and accepted he was upset about what had happened.

Police arrived and arrested a friend of Healey's. He didn't know what for. He shouldn't have got involved, but he did.

Mr Nuttall added Healey, who had recently lost his job, acknowledged he had used inappropriate language.