A DRUNKEN hairdresser who bit a policeman on the hand outside a pub has been sentenced to "weekend jail."

A court was told Michael Dalby had drunk a "staggering" amount of alcohol on the day he got himself arrested outside the Dog Inn, Clitheroe.

He had tried to headbutt and knee an officer before headbutting the pavement and later biting the hand of PC Pat Sutton.

The 26-year-old, of Peel Street, Padiham, was sentenced by Preston Crown Court to 75 days intermittent custody, to be spread over 50 weeks. This means he will be behind bars at Kirkham open prison from Friday evenings, through to Sunday evenings.

Dalby had pleaded guilty to a charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

David Macro, prosecuting, told the court that police were called to an incident where people had reportedly been attacked on leaving the Dog Inn last May. The defendant was pointed out as having been involved.

Dalby was arrested by two officers, but managed to break away. He went on to stagger into a road and throw himself on the bonnet of a police vehicle.

After this he tried to headbutt a police officer when handcuffed. He also tried to knee the officer in the groin area.

The defendant continued being aggressive and so was taken to the ground and repeatedly told to calm down. He swore and issued threats before starting to headbutt the pavement.

PC Sutton tried to stop Dalby injuring himself.

Mr Macro said: "As PC Sutton held his head, the defendant snapped at the officer's right hand, biting him on the rear of the hand. This caused two puncture wounds, one of which was quite deep and immediately started to bleed."

The constable was treated at hospital.

The court also heard that Dalby had five previous convictions for violence, including assaulting an officer.

Mark Friend, defending, said Dalby had had quite a "staggering" amount of alcohol that day.

He had been drinking vast quantities of alcohol, on a daily basis, last year, but that had now changed.