A FATHER-OF-THREE has been given a community order after threatening to petrol bomb a house with two woman in it over a drugs-related debt.

Burnley Crown Court heard James Robert Lyon, from Barden View in Burnley, was driving his Volkswagen Golf when he shouted the threats at two woman.

The court heard Susan Haworth and Mary Haworth were walking along Dall Street in Burnley when they heard the abuse from the 30-year-old.

Prosecuting, Saul Brody said he used abusive language at the pair while asking 'where is my money'.

Mr Brody said Lyon then shouted from his car he would 'petrol bomb their home with the pair inside'.

He said: "The history with the two woman appears to have risen over debts of £10 which were linked in some way to drugs."

The court also heard Lyon shouted to the pair that 'if it was up to him' he would have targeted the pair with a knife.

Sentencing, Judge Simon Medland QC hit out at the behaviour by Lyon and the impact it could have had on anyone in the area.

He said: "It is a completely unacceptable behaviour in public which would have been frightening and disrupting to any members of the public there at the time."

Defending Isobel Thomas produced a report from the probation service which said Lyon 'at no point made threats to kill'.

The court heard the defendant left school age 12 after suffering from ADHD but has worked most of his life since he was 18.

He had previously been taking cannabis but has since given up the drug, Ms Thomas said.

His three children all live with their respective mothers.

Mss Thomas said Lyon 'thoroughly regrets his actions' but he poses a 'low risk of harm' and a 'medium risk of reoffending'.

The defence also raised concerns regarding Lyon's mental health and said he is currently taking medication for depression.

The court heard Lyon, who was known as 'Scouse James' had not had any convictions for the past five and a half years, but had received a suspended sentence previously for affray.

Lyon pleaded guilty to affray and was given a 12 month community order, with 20 days of rehabilitation work and 150 hours unpaid work.