A 31-year-old who was assaulting his mother slapped his wheelchair-bound younger brother when he tried to intervene.

Blackburn magistrates heard the cerebral palsy sufferer told his brother to leave their mum alone and Steven Moran responded by calling him an offensive name.

He then slapped him several times before pushing him backwards causing him to bang his head.

Moran, 31, of Bonsall Street, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to assaulting Karen Moran and Paul Billington.

He was made subject to community supervision for 12 months and ordered to pay £45 costs.

Pat Bramley, prosecuting, said: "He was shouting and was clearly intoxicated."

Michael Blacklidge, defending, said all three had been out drinking and returned home at the same time.

"My client's volume control is not very good when he has been drinking and this aggravated his mum," said Mr Blacklidge.

"That dispute became heated and physical.

"He has always accepted that he slapped his brother across the face and then pushed him away.

"That was not very pleasant but there were no injuries caused and neither his mother or brother have pursued any claim for compensation," said Mr Blacklidge.