A STEPFATHER and son burst into a teenager's home and wrecked furnishings days before Christmas, in retalitation for an alleged campaign of assault and vandalism.

Burnley Crown Court heard how local football referee Melvyn Parker, 38, and Paul Greenwood, 23, shouted death threats, smashed ornaments and pulled down the Christmas tree in the attack on the boy's Barnoldswick home last December.

He was so scared he went upstairs and jumped out of a window.

The pair were said to have reached the end of their tether after Greenwood's brother Stephen was harassed and his car constantly damaged by a gang alleged to include the youth and his brother.

Sentencing the defendants to 180 hours community service, Assistant Recorder Beverley Lunt said they had come within a hair's breadth of being sent to prison. The judge said nothing excused what the pair did.

Parker, of Edmondson Street, and Greenwood, of South Avenue, both Barnoldswick, each admitted affray. They must each pay £150 costs and £223 compensation. Amanda Johnson, prosecuting, said the teenager was approached by the defendants at about 9pm, as he walked with a friend on Rainhill Road, Barnoldswick. The 16-year-old ran into his house, bolted the door and saw Parker standing outside and a group of people behind him.

Both defendants were heard to shout threats and when the youth camedownstairs, he found both men in the lounge, ornaments smashed, the settee thrown over and the Christmas tree pulled down.

Paul Hague, for Greenwood, said he had come to the end of his tether after his brother was targeted by a gang of youths, including the 16-year-old and his brother.

His brother had rung him from a pub where the gang was waiting outside, Greenwood had gone to his aid and since then hostility had been directed towards him as well. He had been assaulted with a baseball bat and his ribs broken.

Mr Hague said on the night of the offence, Greenwood was going in a shop with his stepfather, when he saw the complainant scrape a key along his car.

They were furious, chased the youth to his home, burst in and caused damage, but left when they realised they had gone too far.

Mr Hague went on: "He came to court a frightened man and is a frightened man today. The background circumstances would have tried most people."