A LONE woman looking after her baby was terrified as a gang of men turned up at her home at nearly midnight making threats.

Burnley magistrates heard how the gang had gone to confront the woman's husband, but he wasn't there. She heard banging from the front door and shouts of "get him out here now".

The woman, who was with her 15-month-old child at their home in the Earby area, was scared for her safety and the baby's safety, and called police.

One of the men, Leigh Jarvis, 20, said to have had drink problems, will now not be able to go out on the town over the festive season.

The defendant, of Cross Street, Earby, was given an eight-week curfew order, from 7pm to 7am, from Mondays to Saturdays.

The bench, who lifted the order to allow Jarvis to be with his family on Boxing Day, said they intended he could not go out on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve. He must also pay £150 costs after admitting using threatening, abusive or insulting words, or behaviour, in July.

Andy Robinson, prosecuting, said Jarvis would say he did not play a part in any damage, or bang on the door, but he was there. He had previous convictions for assault, police assault, and threatening behaviour.

Nick Dearing, defending, said Jarvis was on a community order and was complying, and was also carrying out unpaid work.

The solicitor said when he first met the defendant he formed the impression he was "little more than a yob", but when he had not been drinking he was a super young man. He had done charity work for the Rotary and Lions Clubs, and many people had written testimonials on his behalf when he appeared at crown court.

The defendant's group had been having problems with an older man.

Jarvis was the only person arrested after the incident. The man, who had a "bit of a temper", came looking for Jarvis at his first appearance at the magistrates court. The defendant received a very bad beating.

The solicitor continued: "Both the defendant and the other family have decided to let bygones be bygones. He was not the prime mover and not responsible for damage."

Jarvis, who worked at Express Gifts, was abstaining from alcohol, added Mr Dearing.