A 51 YEAR old man reacted violently when his dad refused to give him money for drugs.

Blackburn magistrates heard Darren Leecy damaged a phone and a lamp as he rampaged around the house demanding money for "his stuff."

And when a female came on the lifeline intercom and asked if Mr Leecy senior was OK Darren Leecy grabbed the speaker and smashed it against the wall.

Leecey, of Standen Road, Clitheroe, pleaded guilty to criminal damage to a phone, a lamp and a lifeline machine. He was given a conditional discharge for 12 months and ordered to pay £85 costs and £21 victim surcharge.

Scott Parker, prosecuting, said Mr Leecy snr had been to church on Sunday morning and returned at 11.30 am. He went upstairs and next thing the defendant was shouting, demanding to know why he had woken him up.

Mr Leecy heard something bang against the door which turned out to be the phone. He went downstairs, followed by the defendant, who demanded money so he could go to Burnley for "his stuff."

"Mr Leecy knew he wanted money to go and buy drugs and refused," said Mr Parker. "The defendant said he was going to sell the TV and then started shouting and threatening to smash things up. He said if his dad didn't give him money he would kill himself."

Mr Parker said the lifeline device had been installed by Tunstill Healthcare because of Mr Leecy's deteriorating health and he had an alarm button on a lanyard around his neck.

He said the offence had been committed in January. Mr Leecy had tried to retract his statement shortly after and Leecy had been allowed to return to the family home in March.

Philip Turner, defending, said it had been a fit of pique at a time when the defendant was struggling with drug abuse problems.

"His father reported that his behaviour had deteriorated over a period of time culminating in this incident," said Mr Turner.

"With his parents consent he returned to the family home in March and he continues to be carer for both of them.

"He tells me he is now clean and is on a methadone prescription."