A TERRIFIED mum and her young son screamed as two men burst into their home and the front door landed on their settee.

Burnley Crown Court heard how Mark Shepherd, 48, and Damian Heyslop, 30, were said to be looking for drug dealers who had threatened Shepherd's girlfriend but got the wrong house.

The duo, who had been round the night before in a drunken state, realised their mistake as Shepherd knew the woman's partner, Christopher Jones. He apologised and offered to pay for the damage.

Shepherd, of Regent Street, and Heyslop, of Fountain Street, both Nelson, admitted affray. The case was adjourned until July 12, after Heyslop suffered a fit in the dock and was taken to hospital by paramedics.

John 0'Shea, prosecuting, said the woman, Jackie Riley, was at home in the lounge with her six-year-old son on Bradley Road East, Nelson. Mr Jones was in the kitchen .

Both defendants had been to the property the night before looking for a man, realised they had got the wrong address and left. At about 11.30am, Ms Riley heard a loud bang and her front door came crashing into the house and landed on the settee.

She was terrified and her son began screaming. Heyslop was seen in the doorway with a piece of wood, although he denied that. Shepherd was spotted picking up a piece of wood from the front door.

Heyslop shouted that the child be removed while he sorted out Mr Jones and Ms Riley ran to phone the police. Mr 0'Shea said Mr Jones was able to explain to the defendants that they had got the wrong man and Shepherd apologised, said he would pay for the damage and both left.

Mark Stuart, defending Shepherd, said his girlfriend had been threatened by drug dealers who wanted money off her for no reason. He wanted to go round and have strong words with them but should have put the matter in the hands of the police.