A "DRUNKEN" man who butted a police sergeant after he was arrested has kept his freedom even though a judge told him prison was the norm.

A court heard self-employed HGV driver Robert Sanderson, 40, could not believe what he had done.

Judge Beverley Lunt slammed his antics as "disgraceful" and went on: "You must understand that nine times out of ten anybody who assaults a police officer goes to prison".

She added, however, she did want the defendant's livelihood to be taken away from him from him and gave him 180 hours community service instead.

Sanderson, of Dudley Avenue, Oswaldtwistle, admitted assault causing actual bodily harm. He was also given a 12-month community order and must pay £643 costs.

Paul Hague, prosecuting, told Burnley Crown Court how, last May 26, the defendant had been out drinking all day. He went to the Plough pub and got himself involved in a disturbance.

Police were called and as the defendant was being put in a police vehicle, he deliberately headbutted Sgt Mark Knight, cutting his eyebrow. John McMaster, defending, said Sanderson was genuinely horrified about what had happened.