AN ex-councillor was arrested after he started being abusive and smashed a door while on a crusade to rid an area of dog dirt, a court was told.

Burnley magistrates heard how Ian Jeffrey damaged a glass panel worth £200 when he turned up at an Anchor Housing complex in Nelson, and banged on it with a walking stick.

Jeffrey, 68, who formerly worked for the police and is said to have been known to make a nuisance of himself, had tried to gain the attention of people inside. Itt didn't work and he had started swearing and being offensive, the court heard.

The hearing was told the defendant, who was sent to prison for police assault in March, wanted to speak to the manager of the premises about what he would say was the mess and health hazard on the grass outside.

Instead, he ended up being carted off to the police station in the trouble on May 12.

Jeffrey, of Audley Close, Nelson, admitted damage. He was given an 18 month conditional discharge and must pay £200 compensation and £85 costs.

Lee Hammond, for Jeffrey, said his ex-wife lived at the premises but the incident had nothing to do with her.

Ex-bus driver Jeffrey would say there was a considerable amount of dog excrement on the grass verge outside and the defendant had gone to speak to the manager about cleaning it up.

Mr Hammond said Jeffrey, who could make a nuisance of himself on occasions, tried to get the attention of the people inside.

It didn't work and he used swear words and was abusive.

The solicitor added the defendant had previous convictions for assault, weapons and being drunk and disorderly.