A POLICE officer was punched in the face as he arrested a youth after turning up at a car blaze.

Burnley magistrates heard how Raheel Mohammed, 20, hit out as the officer got hold of his arm. The officer suffered a one inch bruise, swelling, a cut and small graze and his shirt was ripped.

Mohammed, of Milton Street, Nelson, was sentenced to 60 hours community service and ordered to pay £50 compensation and £45 costs after admitting assaulting a police constable and threatening behaviour on September 24.

Nigel Harrison, prosecuting, said police were called to a car blaze in Nelson and the nearby streets had filled with people.

A disturbance broke out at the bottom end of Milton Street and Mohammed appeared agitated.

An officer spoke to him and the defendant was abusive and threatened him.

Mohammed was warned about his conduct and arrested. As the officer took hold of the defendant's arm, he swung a punch to the left hand side of the policeman's face, just above the eye.

Trevor Grice, defending, said Mohammed was unemployed but as from next Monday he had employment with a local firm.

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