AN ex-soldier who left a man with serious facial injuries in a Blackburn street attack has been jailed for a year.

Christopher Bielby's victim fell through a car window during an early morning fight.

And when police went to detain the defendant he bit an officer on the hand.

A judge handing down the prison sentence at Preston Crown Court told him: "Ordinary members of the public are entitled to visit nightclubs and restaurants in the centre of Blackburn without being subjected to violence by aggressive, drunken, dangerous young men.

"And the police are entitled to the protection of this court when they go to arrest them."

Bielby, 24, of Lynthorpe Road, Blackburn, had been found guilty of wounding and actual bodily harm assault following a Burnley Crown Court trial. He was cleared of a charge of wounding with intent.

John Marsh, prosecuting, said a fight occurred in Blackburn town centre around 2.20am on October 1 last year.

Someone called Mark Turner was out with friends in Darwen Street. The defendant -- who had drunk a lot -- fought with him and Mr Turner was propelled through a car window.

Police saw part of what happened and went over. Mr Marsh claimed that Bielby did not go quietly as police tried to arrest him. During a struggle an officer was bitten on the hand. This left a tiny scratch.