A POLICE officer whose mother had died 12 months earlier was “deeply affected” by vile comments made by a drunk he was in the process of arresting.

Blackburn magistrates heard Wayne Mark Braysford made extremely disrespectful comments about the officer’s late mum.

And as he was being handcuffed he spat directly in the officer’s face.

“The officer was shocked and disgusted by the defendant’s actions and comments,” said Catherine Allan, prosecuting.

“He says in a statement that he accepts a certain amount of abuse in the course of doing his duty but this went far beyond what anyone should be expected to receive.”

Sentencing Braysford to 18 weeks in prison chairman of the magistrates Jan Alcock said his behaviour had been “distressing and disgusting.”

“You made vile and explicit comments, tried to head butt the officer and then spat in his face,” said Mrs Alcock. Braysford, 29, of Corporation Street, Accrington, pleaded guilty to using threatening behaviour and assaulting a police officer on December 13 and racially aggravated threatening behaviour in the Job Centre on November 13.

John Thomas McCabe, 42, of Corporation Street, Accrington, pleaded guilty to racially aggravated threatening behaviour in the Job Centre. He was made subject to a four months curfew between 7 pm and 7 am and ordered to pay £100 compensation and £60 costs.

Miss Allan, said the incident involving the police officer occurred at 4 pm in Accrington town centre.

Scott Parker, defending, Braysford, said both offences had occurred because of the actions of other people. He got involved in other people’s problems,” said Mr Parker.

Rebecca Stanton, defending McCabe, said he had started the Job Centre incident when he made racist remarks over the telephone to a member of staff.

“His involvement after that, when the security officer attended, was limited,” said Miss Stanton.