A MAN who assaulted a police officer claimed he had drunk three or four bottles of vodka.

Blackburn magistrates heard that in a telephone interview probation officer Peter Slater had said to Qadeer Ali Zafar that kind of alcohol consumption could kill him.

“His response was that he is a big man and can take that kind of drinking,” said Mr Slater. “He doesn’t think he has a drink problem.”

Ali, 25, of Pine Street, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to assaulting an emergency worker. He was made subject to a community order for 12 months with 20 days rehabilitation activity requirement and 100 hours unpaid work. He was also made subject to an Alcohol Abstinence Programme for three months which will be monitored by an ankle band. Ali was ordered to pay £50 compensation to the police officer, £85 costs and £95 costs.

Scott Parker, prosecuting, said an officer attended at Zafar’s home after a report of a disturbance. She wanted to check on the welfare of people inside the house but Zafar refused to let her in.

“Because of his size and his level of aggression she did not initially try and get past him,” said Mr Parker. “When she took hold of his arm and tried to move him he lunged at her and caught her on the arm.”

Zabair Afzal, defending, said at the time the defendant had been having a row with a friend on his mobile phone.

“He admits he was being very loud and a neighbour called the police,” said Mr Afzal. “He was very drunk and says he was agitated following this disagreement with his friend.”

Mr Afzal said Ali accepted he had wrenched his arm away from the officer and then swung his arms towards her.