A 23 YEAR old man slammed a taxi door on his girlfriend's sister's partner's foot after making gestures to the couple as they travelled on a bus.

Burnley magistrates heard how Simon Sharif Spencer, who had shouted abuse at victim Peter James Heaton and tried to get in the taxi after running after the bus in Colne, left him in pain.

Spencer, of Moorhead Street, Colne, who was in breach of a conditional discharge, admitted assault by beating and criminal damage and was bailed until 1 October.

Tom Snape, prosecuting, said the complainant and his girlfriend were on the bus in Market Street, Colne, when they saw the defendant.

As they looked towards him, Spencer gave them a one-fingered gesture which 'incensed' Mr Heaton.

Spencer began running after the bus and when the couple got off, he dashed towards them as they went to a taxi rank. The defendant then shouted abuse, tried to get into the vehicle and kicked the door.

John Rusius, defending, said Mr Heaton and his girlfriend had made rude gestures to him and he had been insulted and abused.

He had intended to go and slam the taxi door, but was not aware Mr Heaton's foot was still in it. He did not mean to do it and acted on the spur of the moment.

He had immediately offered to pay for the damage to the taxi.