A FATHER attacked the windows of a car containing his wife and children with a claw hammer.

Blackburn magistrates heard Shaun Pinder smashed two windows then dragged his children into his house.

Pinder, 32, of Whitendale Crescent, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to criminal damage.

He was ordered to pay £100 compensation and £55 costs.

Wendy Chappell, prosecuting, said a Mr Woods had parked outside Pinder's home waiting for his girlfriend, Glynis Fox and her daughter, Mandy, and her grandchildren.

The children and their mother got into the car when Pinder came running out with the hammer shouting: "Get the kids out of that car."

Graeme Tindall, defending, said Mandy was his client's long-term partner and Mrs Fox effectively his mother-in-law.

"On the days preceding this incident he and his partner had a quite serious disagreement," said Mr Tindall.

"He accepts his behaviour was paranoid."