A FATHER-of-eight is behind bars after he stole a prisoner's identity then intimidated the man's elderly mother.

A judge slammed ex-convict Darren Thorpe, 35, as "manipulative and deceitful," after he intimidated the 78-year-old mother of convict Darren Weeks.

Mr Recorder Gilbart, QC, explained that Weeks had been sent to prison for offences against children and some local people, including Thorpe, were making her life difficult. He said Thorpe told Mrs Spencer she would be facing a "dog's life."

The judge said Mrs Spencer was ill and had been in an accident and the defendant's conduct and that of others, put her in fear.

He told Burnley Crown Court: "The courts cannot countenance people who do their duty by giving evidence being intimidated, least of all by you."

Thorpe, of Humber Square, Burnley, was jailed for two years after admitting two charges of attempting to obtain property by deception, one of witness intimidation and one of handling stolen goods.

The court was told the defendant was involved in an attempt to pass a £4,000 cheque in Weeks' name at a pawnbrokers. He also tried to open a building society account in Weeks' name.

Julie Taylor, defending, said Thorpe, who had extensive and lengthy record, had had a significant gap in his offending behaviour.