AN angry dad attacked his estranged wife and then injured three neighbours who dashed to her rescue in a late night melee.

Burnley Crown Court heard how Craig Willis, 34, was "incensed" after a letter from the Child Support Agency told him he had to pay out nearly half his wages. He had taken an overdose of sleeping pills in a suicide bid before he walked into victim Rita Willis's home.

In the fracas which followed, he grabbed her by the hair and kicked her in front of their 10-year-old son as the child tried to stop him. Willis then "strangled" and punched a neighbour, hit the man's stepdaughter, threw another resident over a wall and then hit him with a brick.

Willis was jailed for six months by Recorder C Alldiss, who said he could pass no other sentence. The defendant, of Carleton Street, Nelson, had earlier admitted three counts of assault causing actual bodily harm and one of common assault. He had been committed for sentence by Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale Magistrates' Court.

The court heard in July how Willis walked straight into his estranged wife's home, forced her to the floor and kicked her. The defendant's son jumped on his back to try and stop the assault and Mrs Willis, who was crying and shouting, then ran outside pleading for help.

Neighbour Bill Burnett went to see what the commotion was and was punched by the defendant. Mr Burnett's stepdaughter, Tracey Miller, then tried to stop the trouble and was struck twice in the face. She was left with blood coming from her mouth.

Another neighbour Peter Brooks picked up a stool thinking if he could hit the defendant Willis would stop. Willis turned round and started punching Mr Brooks and threw him over a wall. As the victim lay on the ground, Willis began to hit him on the head with a brick. The court was told Willis was finally restrained by his estranged wife's new partner who held him until police arrived. All four complainants were taken to hospital. Miss Miller had suffered a broken finger, cuts and bruises, Mr Brooks was concussed, Mr Burnett had muscle strain and bruises. Mrs Willis was left with bruises and blurred vision.

Richard Taylor, defending, said Willis earned £165 a week and had been paying £25 a week for his son through the CSA. He then got a letter saying maintenance was being increased by £40, almost 40 per cent of his salary. Willis had taken a huge overdose intending to kill himself but then went round to confront his wife.