A 47-YEAR-old man has denied deliberately throwing ammonia at police in an attack which partially blinded a sergeant, in Darwen.

Paul Elliott is alleged to have left Sgt Andrew Gore with serious eye injuries while responding to a disturbance at a house in Ash Grove on April 16.

Appearing via a prison video link at Preston Crown Court Elliott, formerly of Oak Grove, Darwen, pleaded not guilty to wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm to Sgt Gore.

Elliot has further denied six offences of throwing a corrosive fluid on a person with intent to burn, maim, disfigure or disable, in relation to six other officers, also said to have been responding to the call.

These are PCs Lee Richards, Dan Shockley, Stuart Garnett, Daniel Burton, Joshua Hegarty and David Harkins.

Judge Mark Brown, Recorder of Preston, remanded Elliott in custody to stand trial at Manchester Crown Court, before Mr Justice Davis, starting on October 28.

Prosecutor Francis McEntee confirmed that Sgt Gore, who had previously been treated in a critical care unit, had now been discharged and was recovering at home.

He is said to have suffered damage to one of his corneas, limiting his vision in one eye to just colours and shapes, and an injury to his tongue.

The court heard Sgt Gore was injured as he was first through the door at the property.

One other officer is alleged to have been splashed with ammonia and the others were  allegedly injured by breathing in the substance.

Elliott suffered an ankle injury while attempting to leave the property and appeared in the video link using a crutch.

He may still be facing further charges as a result of the earlier disturbance, the court heard. 

A further case management hearing will take place on July 19.