A DRUNKEN father of five, made a part-time prisoner in his own home after smashing in his next door neighbour's door, has won back his freedom.

Burnley Crown Court heard how David Freeman, 31, had been rowing with his girlfriend when he struck at St Ledger Court, in Accrington. He and the victim were still friends and there was no ill feeling between them.

Freeman had earlier been given a three-month curfew order, between 7pm and 7am from Wednesday to Saturday, by Hyndburn magistrates after admitting criminal damage, but told an appeal hearing it interfered with seeing his children.

A judge agreed, quashed the curfew order and said a compensation order, also made by the lower courts, was enough punishment.

Zabeeda Maqsood, for Freeman, said the offence was out of character and the sentence was too severe, Freeman's children spent weekends with him and the curfew not only restricted his liberty, but impacted on the youngsters as well.