A YOUNG father who killed a next door neighbour who had barged into his house and threatened his wife has been jailed for 12 months.

Ian Wright, 21, punched Andrew Gordon once on the jaw, causing him to fall and hit his head on the pavement, fracturing his skull. He died in hospital five days later.

The fight followed an argument after Haslingden factory worker Mr Gordon forced his way into Wright's house in Acre View, Stacksteads.

Preston Crown Court heard that Mr Gordon, 34, and Wright were both very drunk and aggressive.

Judge Peter Openshaw told Wright that although he had acted reasonably in throwing Mr Gordon out of his house, punching him "had gone beyond what was justified."

Wright had earlier pleaded guilty to manslaughter.

The court heard that Mr Gordon and Wright had been watching a football on the afternoon of October 21 last year.

Janet Ironfield, prosecuting, said Gordon had then gone drinking until about 2am in several pubs.

He then went back to Acre View and walked into Mr Wright's house.

Miss Ironfield said: "He appeared drunk and incoherent.

"He was taunting Mr Wright that he was under the thumb . He also abused his partner, Donna Rigby.

"Mr Wright . Once outside Mr Wright went towards Mr Gordon who lashed out but was too drunk to make contact.

"Mr Wright punched Mr Gordon to the head, causing him to fall back on to the road sustaining injuries that resulted in his death."

Keith Harrison, defending, said Wright immediately tried to resuscitate Mr Gordon and did not realise the seriousness of his injuries. He added: "This is a tragedy from all perspectives. This defendant never for one moment contemplated that this would be the outcome of his rash actions.

"He did not go looking for trouble that night but trouble unfortunately came to him. He never intended the consequences and there was no enmity between the parties before this."

He added that the Wright family had been forced to move away from the area following Mr Gordon's death because of hate mail and fear of reprisals.

Judge Peter Openshaw said the case was a very unusual one and a tragedy for all concerned.

He said: "Mr Gordon barged into the house uninvited and unwelcome and was entirely responsible for the trouble which occurred. Mr Wright was quite entitled to manhandle him out of the house.

"However, once outside you lost your temper and punched him. It was a single punch to the head which went beyond what was justified.

"I have no doubt your regret and remorse is genuine and there is no risk of you reoffending. However, a sentence of imprisonment is inevitable. "

Detective Inspector Steve Brunskill, of Burnley police, thanked the people in Stacksteads for their support during the investigation. He said it was their information which had led to the successful conviction.

Mr Gordon played football for St Joseph's team in Stacksteads.

He lived with his girlfriend Suzanne Harrison and their son Tom, aged six and worked in the slipper industry at Farholme near to where he lived until the firm closed.

Some months ago he found a new job with Mania Technologies International Ltd a printed circuit company at Haslingden.

Pictures of him and his football team hang on a wall in the Farholme Tavern, Newchurch Road where he was a regular and popular customer.