A MAN who slept at a police station went on to attack an officer escorting him from the building, a court was told.

Gianluca Cavallo headbutted the constable, causing a cut and a black eye.

The 26-year-old formerly of Islington Street, Blackburn, had pleaded guilty to a charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Mr Mark Lamberty, prosecuting at Preston Crown Court, said Cavallo had been spending time sleeping at Blackburn police station.

A woman working in the office there asked him to leave. A constable was enlisted to escort him out.

The defendant was reluctant to leave, but did so.

But when they had walked up to the top of a ramp he was suddenly abusive about the police station and butted the officer on the right side of the head.

Later, in police interview, he claimed the officer had pushed him up the walkway and so he had butted him.

Mr Fraser Livesey, defending, said medical practitioners who had written reports on Cavallo felt that a mental health order would be appropriate.

"He apologises for the offence. He was unwell at the time."

Judge David Boulton made an order under the Mental Health Act which means Cavallo will receive further hospital treatment.