A MEMBER of a gang who went to a man's house and threatened to slit his throat has been jailed for nine months.

Victim Garth Rowbottom, who had been watching television when the group turned up at his house, was branded a grass and told he was going to have his throat slit.

His head was banged against the window of his car and pushed through it after the glass had smashed, Burnley Crown Court heard.

Michael Sparks, who had threatened to kill the victim, was given a custodial term.

Sparks, already behind bars after being recalled on a burglary sentence, will serve the new term at the same time and not on top.

The defendant, 24, of Springfield Avenue, Bacup, admitted affray.

The court had been told Sparks's brother Christopher had been given a suspended prison term for his part in the melee.

Micheal Sparks could not be given a suspended sentence because of his record.

Hilary Manley, prosecuting, told the court Mr Rowbottom had been at home in Bacup at about 10.20pm when he heard shouting and was called a grass.

Mr Rowbottom saw about eight men, including Sparks, who he had had trouble with in the past.

Sparks smashed the victim's kitchen window and Mr Rowbottom went to the front of his house to be greeted by the defendant walking into his property.

The defendant then laid into him, punching him all over his body. Mr Rowbottom fought back, getting him out of the house and down the driveway.

Miss Manley said three of the gang then joined in hitting Mr Rowbottom and Sparks said he was going to get a knife and slit his throat. His head was banged against his car window and shoved through it after the glass broke.

The prosecutor said the victim was then dragged into next door's driveway and all the men carried on shouting.

The defendant told the victim the next time he saw him he would slit his throat and do a 10-year sentence for it.

Miss Manley said police then arrived and arrested the victim.

Sparks had a long criminal record.