AARON James Stacey ended up on the floor with a police officer who intervened in a late night dispute between him and another man.

Blackburn magistrates heard that Stacey straddled the officer, pinning him to the floor, and said he was not going to be arrested.

But defence solicitor Sarah Perkins said Stacey had not been aware the man approaching from behind was a police officer.

Stacey, 20, of Ellen Street, Darwen, pleaded guilty to using threatening behaviour. He was ordered to pay £100 compensation to PC Whitlock and £75 costs.

A charge of assaulting a police officer was dismissed after the prosecution offered no evidence.

Peter Wilde, prosecuting, said officers were dealing with a man who was lying on the floor with head injuries when they saw another disturbance nearby.

They saw Stacey and another man pushing each other and eventually blows were exchanged. The officer approached but as he tried to take hold of Stacey, Stacey tried to punch the other man.

"The momentum of that punch pulled both the officer and Stacey to the floor, where Stacey pinned the officer down," said Mr Wilde.

"He shouted that the officer was not going to arrest him because the other man had punched his mother."

Miss Perkins said Stacey's mother had been punched by the other man and her client had been defending her.

"He feared he was going to be hit as well," said Miss Perkins.

"He felt someone grab him from behind and at that stage had no idea it was a police officer."