A SERIAL offender from Barrow has narrowly avoided jail after assaulting two police officers and racially abusing another.

Police officers attended the Abercorn Street address of an 'injured' Jordan Lee Riglar, 31, on February 21, 2021 after they became concerned for his welfare.

Paul Cummings, prosecuting at Preston Crown Court, told the court how Riglar, who has 39 previous convictions, appeared to be under the influence of alcohol and 'acting aggressively' so the officers decided to arrest Riglar.

While putting him into the police vehicle, Riglar caused 'bruising and scratching' to Constable Chilton as he was struggling, the court heard.

When taken to hospital he was reported as being 'difficult' towards staff and the officers and racially insulted and threatened Constable Sayer, saying:

"I will rape your mother, chew your face off, rip chunks out of you, your family will wake up to find their pets strung up from the washing line by their ears."

When taken to the police station he assaulted Constable Nelson by pouring water over them.

Riglar, a father of two, initially denied the charges but later pleaded guilty at a pre-trial hearing.

Claire Brocklebank, mitigating, called Riglar's behaviour 'disgraceful' but added that he had called his own behaviour ‘stupid’ and ‘wrong’.

READ MORE: Man convicted of assault after showering family in beer

Ms Brocklebank asked for any sentence to be suspended on the grounds that Riglar’s partner is three months pregnant, and would be heavily reliant on the income from his new job, which he has yet to start, but will net him £400 per day working on wind farms.

She said the fact that he has not offended in the two years since the incident indicated he has 'turned his life around' and 'now comes across as a more stable, sensible, responsible man'.

Concluding, Judge Medland said: "Your assaults (were) on two police constables who were only doing their best to help you."

He called the abuse toward Constable Sayer 'absolutely appalling'.

The judge said to Riglar: "I have considered during the course of Ms Brocklebank’s mitigation whether at this point the sentence needs to be immediate or not, and I am just persuaded that it need not be on this occasion.

"The root cause of your offending is drinking, and while you're occupied on this work, there will not be any drink, because they are dry.

"This is your opportunity to step up to the plate and to look after your partner and your children."

Riglar was given three 10-month suspended sentences, one with a 50 percent uplift for racial aggravation, to run concurrently.

The total sentence was a 15-month sentence, suspended for two years, with compensation of £500 each to be paid to Constables Nelson and Chilton, and £1,000 to Constable Sayer.