A SPURNED husband who forced his way into his wife's lover's house and attacked him as he lay in bed is now starting a six month jail term.

Father-of-two Francesco Rizzo's snapped when he found his wife Michelle and her former boyfriend Derek Tattersall together, Burnley Crown Court heard.

Rizzo was told by Recorder Yvonne Coppell the assault had been unprovoked and while she accepted his emotions had been running high and had still been raw, it was her public duty to send him to prison.

The judge said Mr Tattersall, 60, must have been terrified and had suffered significant injury in his own home. Rizzo, 35, of Goodshaw Avenue, Crawshawbooth, had earlier admitted unlawful wounding.

Peter Warne, prosecuting, said Mr Tattersall and Mrs Rizzo had a relationship about three years ago but it broke up.

In May they started seeing each other again and Mrs Rizzo moved in with Mr Tattersall. The victim got a threatening call from the defendant and four days later Mrs Rizzo and Mr Tattersall went home after an evening at the pub.

In the early hours, Mr Tattersall awoke to find Rizzo standing at the foot of his bed. Rizzo later admitted to police he had kicked in the back door. He then hit Mr Tattersall, knocking him to the floor, kicked him and then struck him again.

Mr Tattersall suffered bruises, grazes and a wound to his ear. He had to undergo surgery on the ear and was also given a tetanus booster and antibiotics.

John Woodward, defending, said Rizzo expressed remorse and contrition and accepted the offence crossed the custody threshold.

References spoke of the defendant in glowing terms and his boss had attended court. The offence was clearly out of character.

Rizzo, who had no previous convictions, had now formed a new relationship and accepted his marriage was over.