A YOUNG father who saw two women and their children poisoned after they consumed drugs he had hidden in a kettle has walked free from court.

All four were rushed to hospital after the kettle was used to make instant mashed potato and cups of tea, the court heard.

One of the youngsters, a four-year-old boy, was in a serious but stable condition, and spent three days in hospital.

Jeffrey Farquhar, 21, was given an 18-month community rehabilitation order after a judge at Preston Crown Court told him: "Day in and day out newspapers are full of the evils of drugs. This is just another example."

Farquhar, of Queen Street, Darwen, admitted possessing an unknown quantity of Ecstasy tablets and cannabis resin.

The events on Monday, October 27 last year concerned sisters Patricia and Joanne Wilson and their sons Liam and Nathan, both four.

Richard Vardon, prosecuting, said Farquhar - Patricia Wilson's partner - and another man were in the house at the time.

While the evening meal was cooking, Joanne boiled the kettle, to make a cup of tea. When she later tried her drink she noticed it tasted strange and commented about it to her sister. Shortly afterwards the two sisters went to prepare the evening meal, boiling water in the kettle to make instant mashed potato for everyone.

Mr Vardon said: "The sisters served out the meal. After a short time Liam was becoming drowsy and appeared to have difficulty staying awake.

"Joanne noticed that her son Nathan was acting strangely, biting his lips and fingers and walking strangely.

"The defendant and the other man seemed to find that amusing."

Farquhar then said that pills had been in the kettle.

"A general panic then ensued at the house," said Mr Vardon. "The defendant phoned for an ambulance, telling the operator that tablets in the kettle had been Ecstasy." The two women and children were all taken to Blackburn Royal Infirmary.

Three were released the next day, but Nathan was transferred to the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital at Pendlebury. At one stage his condition was serious but stable.

Farquhar made no comment during his police interview.

His barrister, Martin Hackett, asked the court to follow the recommendation of a pre-sentence report and pass a community-type sentence. He said the defendant was on benefits and his girlfriend had given birth seven weeks ago.

Recorder David Manley also ordered Farquhar to attend a Think First course, and pay £245 prosecution costs.