AN angry teenager joined his father in attacking the man they believed was having an affair with the youth's mother, a jury was told.

Burnley Crown Court heard Daniel Hart, 19, "put the boot in," after his father hit Robert Nuttall, the man he was convinced was his love rival.

Mr Nuttall had been knocked unconscious by the defendant's father, Alan. Hart was in a rage and kicking the victim while he was out cold after the suggestion of his mother Eileen's alleged affair had "festered" in his mind for about eight months, the court heard.

Hart, of Ash Street, Bacup, denies assault in June.

Giving evidence, Hart, an order packer in a warehouse, said his father had told him his mother was having an affair with Mr Nuttall.

Questioned by his barrister Alexandra Simmonds, Hart told the court he had been on his way to a kebab shop in the early hours when he came across his dad, mum and Mr Nuttall.

There was a row going on and his dad started pushing and shoving Mr Nuttall. Hart said he told them to stop, a fight broke out and he tried to split them up.

The defendant claimed a man pulled him away but he broke free and he tried again to intervene. Hart said his dad hit Mr Nuttall in the face and he went to the ground. He told his father to come home.

Miss Simmonds said:" It is alleged you kicked Mr Nuttall." Hart:"Thats not true." The barrister continued:"Did you use any violence towards him?" The defendant:"No, none at all."

Cross-examined by David Pojur, prosecuting, Hart said he thought his dad was being silly when he told him he thought his mother was having an affair.

He said the idea might have affected his father, but he did not let it show.

Hart, who said he had been drinking, told the jury he was upset when, the day of the offence, he believed his mother may have been having an affair.

(Proceeding)