A MAN who claims he has been bullied since he moved to Bacup tore up a bus seat with a knife, a court heard.

Burnley Magistrates heard how John Paul Roche's alcohol-fuelled behaviour was prompted by deep-seated anxieties.

He was frightened of the prospect of jail after his uncle Philip Roche slit his own throat while in custody late last year.

Roche won his freedom and the chance of a new start in Burnley, after the bench made a two-month curfew order, between 7pm and 7am, seven days a week. He must also pay £99.87 compensation to Rossendale Transport and £30 costs.

Roche, formerly of Back Burnley Road, Bacup, and now of Albert Street, Burnley, admitted damage, having an article with a sharply pointed blade in public and two counts of failing to surrender. Abdul Khan, defending, said Roche could remember nothing of the offences.

He had anxieties and problems with his peers. He had never really been accepted in Bacup and had been bullied and victimised.

This had affected him, he was somewhat distant at times and he needed help with his difficulties with drink and with his peers.

Roche had spent two weeks in custody and he was frightened because of what happened to his uncle. The defendant had learned his lesson.

Mr Khan said Roche now planned to live with his father in Burnley and to get out of Rossendale.

The solicitor went on: "Bacup is a problem for him. Custody won't help him and sooner or later he is going to fall into the same cycle again."