A COLLEGE lecturer was led away in handcuffs after hurling abuse at a Traffic warden and police during a row over a parking ticket.

Noel O'Brien, who works at Blackburn College and is a former Rossendale Labour councillor, was branded a bully by a district judge after he heard details of the incident.

Today his employers were considering what disciplinary action to take after he was convicted of using threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour after a three-hour trial at Blackburn magistrates court.

O'Brien, 51, of Mercer Crescent, Helmshore, continued his attack on the officers from the witness box when he accused them of lying in court.

He was fined £200 with £100 costs and ordered to pay £50 compensation to two traffic wardens and a woman police officer.

Announcing his decision, District Judge Andrew Shaw said he was satisfied that O'Brien had sworn at traffic warden Rosalind McNulty and caused her to fear for her safety. "You were bullying and abusive towards her and your behaviour continued to be so bad that the police were called," said the judge.

"You were warned as to your conduct but continued in an undignified and disgraceful manner. Public servants deserve respect and a man in your position should behave differently."

Basharat Ditta, defending, gave notice of appeal against conviction which will be heard at the Crown Court.

And after the hearing O'Brien, who lectures in special needs education and also teaches students with learning and behavioural difficulties, said he was appalled that any court could come to such a decision.

Sheena Ewing, principal at Blackburn College, said today: "Incidents like this would be dealt with internally as per our normal disciplinary process. Beyond that I am unable to comment."

Today, O'Brien said: "I do not expect to be called to the principal's office but if I was I'd simply tell her I was defending my rights and I would do the same again tomorrow."

Traffic warden Rosalind McNulty told the court she saw O'Brien's camper van parked in a loading only bay in Northgate, Blackburn, on December 6.

She said he approached in an aggressive and agitated way, refused to calm down and said "You are a thick little girl and you are stupid."

She said he swore repeatedly and she felt physically threatened by his attitude and demeanour. When she started writing out a ticket and asked him for details, she said he replied: "You are a tin-pot little traffic warden, why don't you get a proper job?"

She said she radioed for assistance from a police officer.

Traffic warden Nathan Manton said he was further down the road and had approached because he was concerned for his colleague's safety.

PC Nicola Furness said she responded to the radio message and as she pulled up O'Brien approached her car. She said he was swearing and being abusive and PC Furness warned him to moderate his language and calm down.

She said he replied: "You are just as bad as her, you're a slag, you all are."

The court was told that when O'Brien was eventually arrested the custody sergeant had to tell officers to take him to a cell and use minimum force to obtain a DNA swab from his mouth after he refused to co-operate.

The officer, who eventually had to lead O'Brien away in handcuffs, said she had not been subjected to such vile abuse in her eight years on the force.

O'Brien told the court that he had made an official complaint to the Chief Constable about his treatment.

He said he assumed it was appropriate to park in the loading bay because he was conducting business in the area.

He accepted that there had been a heated discussion but said he only swore on one occasion. He denied calling the officer a blonde bimbo.

O'Brien served on Rossendale Council for four years before losing his seat 12 years ago. He then went on to stand for Lancashire County Council as a candidate for Arthur Scargill's Socialist Labour Party.