A VIOLENT fork-lift truck driver who spat at two police officers in the face - hitting one inside her mouth - has been told he won't be going to jail.

One of Thomas Green's victims, WPC Ruth Easthope, was so distraught over what happened to her she was physically sick and was now worried over her health. Green had laughed after the attack on her, Burnley magistrates heard.

Green, who had been repeatedly warned about his behaviour after shouting and swearing in the street in the early hours, "lost all self-control" after being told he was being arrested.

The bench told Green they thought what he had done was very serious but he would probably be given community punishment.

Green, of Green Lane, Padiham, who has previous convictions for criminal damage and being drunk and disorderly, admitted threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour and two charges of police assault on August 14.

He was bailed until tomorrow for a probation report. Offenders who attack and spit at the police can normally expect about four months in jail after a guilty plea.

Andy Robinson, prosecuting, told the court police were called to a disturbance in Thompson Street, Padiham. The defendant got involved when police were leaving.

Green, who was unsteady on his feet, then lost all self-control and immediately started shouting and swearing about a friend who had been earlier arrested. He was warned about eight times about his conduct but carried on and was told he was being arrested.

Mr Robinson said Green was still shouting and swearing and was escorted towards the back of a police van by WPC Easthope. The defendant then turned towards the officer, spat in her face and mouth and then laughed."

Mr Robinson said Green was violent and still shouting in the back of the van going to the station. PC John McNamara was helping trying to calm the situation and Green also spat at the officer, hitting him in the face and mouth. PC McNamara felt quite sick.