A TEENAGER punched a female police community support officer on the nose when she tried to break up a fight between him and another man.

Blackburn magistrates heard Matthew Alty claimed he didn't realise she was a police officer when he punched her.

But he admitted he then kicked her in the shin because he wanted to continue fighting with the other man.

Alty, 19, of Great Meadow, Astley Village, pleaded guilty to assaulting an emergency worker.

He was made subject to a curfew between 7pm and 7am for eight weeks and ordered to pay £200 compensation.

Andy Robinson, prosecuting, said PCSO Leanne Crowther and a colleague were patrolling in the afternoon near the bus station in Blackburn town centre when they came across a male and a female fighting and separated them.

They then saw Alty and another male fighting and tried to get between them.

As PCSO Crowther tried to pull Alty away he turned towards her and punched her on the nose.

"She let go of him and was then kicked on the lower leg with some force," said Mr Robinson.

Jonathan Taylor, defending, said Alty was diagnosed autistic and with attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder.

"He over-reacted when one of his friends had a drink poured over him by a female," said Mr Taylor.

"His friend took hold of the girl and then her boyfriend attacked his friend.

"He believed he needed to protect his friend and he started to fight with the male."

Mr Taylor said when the PCSO first took hold of him Alty thought it was someone from the other group and lashed out.

"He then tried to get away from the officer because he thought she would stop him protecting his friend," said Mr Taylor.