WITHIN two days of being released from prison a man turned up at his elderly mother's home in breach of a restraining order.

Blackburn magistrates heard Darren Atkin's mum was "distressed" by his attendance but on two occasions gave him £20 after he convinced her he was free of drugs and trying to change his life.

But when he turned up on a third occasion asking for more money she called the police.

Atkin, 40, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to three charges of harassing his mother at her home in Booth Road, Waterfoot. He was jailed for 26 weeks after the magistrates were told he has been recalled on prison licence and will not be released until February 2021.

Peter Kelly, prosecuting, said the first time Atkin turned up at his mum's address at 6.30 pm and asked for money so he could get to the drug rehabilitation unit where he had obtained a place.

"She gave him £20 because she wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt and didn't call the police," said Mr Kelly.

Atkin turned up again two days later, complaining about the state of the hostel accommodation he was in and asked for money again.

"She gave him another £20 but said later she shouldn't have and instead should have called the police," said Mr Kelly. "When he appeared again two days later she told him she was calling the police."

She later told officers; "I love him, but what can I do? I have been trying for 23 years to get him off drugs."

Jonathan Taylor, defending, said it was a very sad case.

"You have here a mother who wants to help her son and the last thing she wants is to see him going back to prison," said Mr Taylor. "He was struggling with his life and the only person he had to turn to was his mum."