POLICE have expressed concern after a man who left a police constable unconscious following a violent assault walked free from court.

Graeme Billington, 27, of Lynwood Road, Blackburn, struck PC Wayne Curness in the face causing him to fall backwards and bang his head on the road.

The policeman, who lives in Rossendale and works in Blackburn, suffered 13 brain haemorrhages, spent six days in intensive care and lost his hearing for a month following the attack on Boxing Day last year.

Doctors have told him he may be vulnerable to epilepsy in the future.

At Preston Crown Court, Recorder Terence Rigby told Billington the offence was so serious it warranted a custodial sentence, but because of his character he was not going to impose a prison sentence.

He sentenced Billington to an 180 hours community punishment order.

Police said the decision to give Billington an 180 hours community service order rather than a custodial sentence was "disappointing."

Inspector Bob Eastwood added: "Naturally we are disappointed with the leniency of this sentence for what was a violent assault, particularly when the officer involved was going about his duty."

Billington had denied unlawfully wounding the officer on December 26 but was found guilty after a trial at Preston Crown Court earlier this year.

At his sentencing yesterday, Miss Rachael Woods, prosecuting, told the court PC Curness was on Northgate at about 11.30 pm and came across Billington and another man who were both drunk.

As he stopped to help the men out of the road he became aware of a clenched fist being flayed down on him. The next thing he remembered was waking up in an ambulance covered in blood.

The other man told police that without warning or apparent provocation, Billington had struck the police officer causing him to fall backwards hitting his head on the road.

He was shocked and could not understand why Billington had hit the officer.

After the attack Billington ran off. He made no comment during three police interviews.

Miss Woods said PC Curness had not fractured his skull but there were small bleeds within the brain. He was seen by a neurosurgeon and was now back at work.

Mark Stuart, defending, said Billington had no recollection of what happened after 7pm.

He had never sought to say it was not him who had hit the officer causing the severe injury, but that he was not in a position to admit it. Billington could remember nothing about the incident.

The injury had not been caused by the blow to the face, but when PC Curness hit the ground.

Billington was very, very drunk. He regretted his behaviour.