A PADGATE man allegedly told a police officer that he 'wanted to smash' him outside Darli Lounge, a court heard.

Leon Cameron, aged 23, of Rudloe Court, was ejected from the town centre bar on November 29.

Halton Magistrates Court heard how, outside the premises, Cameron became verbally aggressive to police officers before shouting 'I just want to smash you and if we were alone I would smash you'.

He denied this claim on Wednesday, but did plead guilty to using abusive words likely to cause distress.

Prosecuting, Alison Warburton, said: "He was one of two people to be ejected from Darli Lounge and became verbally aggressive to officers."

Cameron, who admitted swearing during the incident, got involved with the officers after becoming angered with the treatment of his girlfriend by officers.

"I deny being violent or aggressive, or to saying that I want to smash the officer," said Cameron, who represented himself.

"I just tried to help get my partner off the floor and told the police to get off her - the police are there to protect people, not assault them.

"I might have been loud and maybe shouting but it was not threatening violence."

District Judge Bridget Knight ordered Cameron to pay an £80 fine for the offence.