A FORMER Blackburn man fire-bombed the home of his estranged wife three times in an attempt to kill her and her four children, a court was told.

Blackburn magistrates heard the man had since fled to Pakistan and there was nothing the police could do.

But Sian Hall, defending, told the court the man had made it clear that if he ever returned he would try again.

She said the incident had a profound effect on his 14-year-old son whose mother found herself before the court for failing to secure the boys attendance at Queen's Park Technology College.

Heather Cotton, 36, of Waterloo Close, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to the failure between February 19 and June 20. She was fined £150 with £190 and warned by the magistrates that any repeat could lead to a prison sentence.

The court heard that out of 122 possible sessions, the boy had only attended on eight occasions. An education officer had visited Miss Cotton on several occasions. She had failed to respond to a final warning and only as a last resort was the matter referred for prosecution.

Miss Hall said her client did not have a defence but there was considerable mitigation.

She said the fire-bomb attacks by the boy's father had happened about 12 months ago.

"He is a very sensitive boy and he took the threats very seriously," said Miss Hall. "He had always been close to his father and the problems with school started after the incident."

Miss Hall said that when she became aware the boy was missing school Cotton took action. "She would take him to school but it seems he would wait until she had gone and then absent himself," she said. "She says she has done her best but it has been very difficult."

Miss Hall said it appeared her client had got to the root of her son's problems.

"He has been attending summer school and there has been no problem since he went back to school last week."