A HYNDBURN man employed to combat anti-social behaviour across East Lancashire has been cautioned for assaulting his girlfriend,

Paul Shaw, 33, of Noble Street, Rishton, works as an anti-social behaviour co-ordinator for Blackburn with Darwen Council's community safety team.

He was susp ended from his job following the assault which relates to an incident at a house in Blackburn in the early hours of 17 December.

Shaw had previously pleaded not guilty to the assault and was told by magistrates not to contact his girlfriend, Joanne Adair, and to live at his home in Rishton.

He was given a police caution last week.

Phillipa White, from the Crown Prosecution Service, said: "Mr Shaw is a man of previous good character. Because of the background to the case it was decided that a caution would be appropriate."

She added: "Cautions are very few and far between in domestic violence cases."

Adam Scott, director of regeneration at Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: "An internal investigation into this matter is ongoing."