A DRUNKEN man who lunged at a policeman with a knife was eventually brought to the ground by a police dog, a court was told.

Blackburn magistrates heard that the officer suffered a small cut on his forehead during the incident but it was accepted this had not been deliberately inflicted.

Kevin Michael Greenwood, 42, of Ripon Street, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to police assault and affray.

He was put on probation for 18 months and ordered to pay £150 compensation to PC Duncan and £100 costs.

Margaret Duckworth, prosecuting, said PC Duncan, a dog handler, had been called to Ripon Street in the afternoon.

He was told there was a man inside with a kitchen knife who was threatening to harm anyone who approached him.

The officer looked through the kitchen window and saw Greenwood with a knife in one hand and a bottle of cider in the other.

He pointed the knife at the officer and said: "You won't take me alive and if you come in I will knife you with this."

PC Duncan got his dog, Breeze, from his van and entered the house through the front door. He ordered Greenwood to put down the knife but instead he lunged towards the officer.

The dog bit Greenwood in the upper arm and pulled him to the floor, at which stage the officer was able to take the knife off him.

Before he could be taken to the police station to be charged, Greenwood had to be taken to Blackburn Royal Infirmary to be treated for injuries inflicted by the dog on his arm.

Michael Blacklidge, defending, said Greenwood was thoroughly ashamed of his behaviour. "On the day of this incident he well and truly lost his marbles and behaved in an outrageous manner," said Mr Blacklidge.

"He accepts that the officer suffered a nick on his forehead and, in the sober light of day, realises it could have been far more catastrophic, and he could have been facing much more serious charges."

Mr Blacklidge said Greenwood was still receiving treatment for his injuries which were inflicted nearly five months ago.

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