A MAN whose family's lives had been made a misery by yobs ended up being the one arrested after "snapping" and using a kitchen knife to chase them away.

Neil Chatburn said the "final straw" came when youths threw a brick through the front window of the home in Wood Street, Darwen, where he lives with his parents.

And to compound his anguish, a court heard that after he was taken to the police station the house was burgled by the same youths who had carried out the initial attack.

After Chatburn appeared in court and admitted possessing an offensive weapon in public, he apologised for his moment of madness but said it would never have happened if police had reacted to residents' concerns.

His local councillor said the nearby Woodvale flats were notorious for anti-social behaviour and action needed to taken to resolve the problem.

But police urged people not to take the law into their own hands and PC Simon Harwood, who covers the Woodvale area, said people needed to inform officers every time there was an incident.

Chatburn, 24, who works at Canopes UK in Goosehouse Lane, Darwen, as a laminator, said he was watching TV on December 8 when a brick was thrown through his front window.

He said: "I think I just snapped. I ran outside to chase off whoever was there and stupidly I grabbed a kitchen knife as I went.

"I know it was the wrong thing to do, I just wanted to make sure that whoever was outside went away.

"I had no intention of hurting anyone."

Mum Joanna said: "We have had to put up with so much in the last few months and years.

"Neil knows he made a mistake. He shouldn't have carried the knife but he's not a trouble maker. He is a victim."

In court, Jonathan Taylor, defending, said: "My client's life and his mother's life have been made completely miserable by some of the people who live in these flats.

"Night after night the police are called. Windows are smashed, there is fighting, loud music blaring out and it is a nightmare.

"As soon as the police leave it all starts again.

"When a brick was thrown through his window he looked out to see a group of teenagers who he knew were from Woodvale.

"He felt he had to defend his home. Once they saw him coming out they all ran into the flats and they found it very funny.

"Once he had been arrested and taken away the people responsible for the original attack have gone and burgled his home."

He said that items including a DVD recorder, digital camera, a laptop and several Christmas presents, were stolen.

Coun David Smith said he sympathised with the problems suffered by Chatburn and his parents.

Coun Smith, who represents the Sunnyhurst ward, said: "I have witnessed problems in that area many times for myself and know the problems that families like the Chatburns' face.

"I know the family, they are good people and I know the problems that they have had."

Steve McGibbon from Lancashire Victim Support said he could not condone Chatburn's actions.

But he said: "I am sure anyone can understand his upset, anger and frustration that his home has been vandalised.

"We would always encourage victims not to take things into their own hands.

"By taking a knife with him he left the police with no option but to arrest him."

A police spokesperson said: "This man was arrested and charged after possessing a kitchen knife in a public place.

"We always urge anyone with concerns about crime in their neighbourhood not to take matters into their own hands but to contact the police."

PC Simon Harwood, who covers the Woodvale area, said people need to inform officers everytime they have concerns.

He said: "The Woodvale area is covered by both highly visible police officers and Police Community Support Officers who regularly speak with both the residents and Nightsafe staff.

"We rely on information from the community and I urge anyone with concerns about crime or anti social behaviour in the area to contact us."

When he went out the yobs fled but the police were called and he was arrested.

Chatburn, who lives with his mother, Joanna, 50, and father Richard, 54, appeared at Blackburn Magistrates Court, where he will be sentenced in the new year.

Five men have been arrested for burglary in connection with the break-in at the family's home.