A YOUTH who terrorised a family after bursting into their home late at night is behind bars for four years, after a judge said he posed a "very real danger" to the public.

Burnley Crown Court heard how James Norwood, 20, who has a string of convictions for violence, smashed down his victims' front door, broke the banister and threw it at the householder and slung a claw hammer.

The family ended up barricading themselves into a room and the children were later taken away to a "safe house."

Sentencing, Recorder David Eccles said the complainants must have been petrified.

The judge said Norwood had a "quite appalling," criminal record and temper problem. He had gone round to the victims' home because they did not get on with their next door neighbours and there had been a suggestion of parties.

Recorder Eccles said he had to pass a longer than normal sentence, as the public had to be protected.

The defendant, of Holding Road, Brierfield, admitted burglary with intent to commit grievous bodily harm. He was also given a three year extended licence period.

William Staunton, prosecuting, said a man knocked on the householder's door and asked to speak to him and when he looked out he saw the defendant in the garden.

The victim was fearful, told his partner to go upstairs and the door was then forced open. Norwood was at the foot of the stairs, in a rage and told the occupant he was going to die.

Katherine Pierpoint, defending, said Norwood and others had gone to speak to the householder and it was not suggested they were armed with weapons. Nobody was seriously injured.

The defendant was deeply remorseful and was particularly upset when he had found out there were children in the house and they had been distressed. He was ashamed to be before the courts again for an offence of violence.

Miss Pierpoint said Norwood, who was only 19 when the offence was committed, was now maturing to a certain extent.

The barrister urged the court not to pass a sentence or licence period of such a length it would crush the defendant.