A MAN threatened to rape a police officer's wife and daughter after he was arrested, a court was told yesterday.

Shane Preston, 21, is accused of making the threats after he was detained by officers at the post office in Crown Street, Darlington, on the afternoon of April 5.

Preston, of Cartmell Terrace, Darlington, accepted that he was aggressive while in custody, but deniedmaking threats of a sexual nature.

Blair Martin, prosecuting, told Darlington Magistrates' Court: "After resisting arrest, he made the threats while in the back of the van.

"He told the officer that he knew where he lived and would be out in twomonths to break his legs."

He said the defendant also threatened to rape the officer's wife and daughter, adding: "The officer has been on the force for 16 years and has received a lot of threats in the past, but nothing of this magnitude.

"His fear for the safety of his family was such that he contacted his daughter's school to make them aware of the threats." Preston pleaded guilty to a Section 4 public order offence and resisting arrest.

He originally pleaded not guilty to the public order offence, but changed his plea after a trial was listed for last Friday at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates' Court.

Laura Saunders-Jerrom, mitigating, said that Preston knew his behaviour was unacceptable, but denied making the sexual assault threats.

"He was in the post office and police approached him and decided to arrest him, " she said.

"During this, his glasses came off, which are a lifeline to him - he cannot see a thing without them.

"He wanted to put them back on but was not allowed to. He was being restrained and he admits that he kicked off. He didmake threats to the officer and he knows this was wrong, but he did not say anything about any kind of sexual assault."

Preston was also given a 12month conditional discharge.

He was fined £25 for resisting arrest, £25 for the public order offence and ordered to pay the police officer £150 in compensation for the emotional anguish caused.