A MAN cleared of assaulting his girlfriend's baby today appealed for calm after "vigilantes" targeted his mother's home.

Craig Anthony Mack was charged with assaulting the 13-month-old boy, last September, after staff at Blackburn Infirmary raised concern about injuries to his head.

A jury at Preston Crown Court found Mr Mack not guilty of the charge after a three-day trial but as he and his mother left the court, they discovered a scratch across the door of her new Vauxhall Cavalier.

Then on Sunday she was wakened at 2am when a brick was thrown through the living room window of her home in Hereford Road, Blackburn.

Craig, 26, who lives at a different house in East Lancashire, said: "My mum's address was given in court because it was my bail address but I do not live there.

"It is my mum who is suffering. It is not fair that they are targeting my mum when all she has done is to be there for me."

Police today confirmed they had received a report of damage to the property in Hereford Road on Sunday and were investigating.

Barbara, 46, who lives with her husband Steve, 40, and three grandchildren, aged five, six and nine, says the damage totals around £250.

She said: "I could understand if he was found guilty, but I have always known he was innocent and the jury agreed.

"I am really angry, as he should not even have had to be at court. This is costing me a lot of money that we can't afford and we are not sleeping, either."

The problem started when Craig, who was in a relationship with a 19-year-old woman from Darwen, took her son to Blackburn Infirmary with head injuries after he woke crying.

Health staff contacted Social Services to say they were suspicious about the bruises the child had received and Craig, who works as a contract cleaner, was arrested and charged.

He said: "I felt sick. I was in the cells at Greenbank police station for four days and the police said they weren't allowed to tell me what was happening.

"When I was out on bail, I was having to look over my shoulder. It was one stress after another.

"But it should be over now. I am in a new relationship and I want to get on with my life. I want these people to stop targeting my mum."