A 32-year-old man who attacked his father with a vacuum cleaner and hit him so hard that the machine broke is behind bars for 15 months.

Burnley Crown Court heard how Mark Jackson 'lost it,' punched victim Malcolm Alderson and then struck him five times about the head with the cleaner, after his father was said to have turned up at his home armed with a hammer.

Sentencing the defendant, Judge Raymond Bennett said he was quite sure both Jackson and his father drank far too much and there was bad feeling between the two. He added that Jackson, who had a record for violence, went too far in defending himself from any perceived attack.

Jackson, of Stafford Street, Burnley, admitted unlawful wounding.

Paul Richardson, prosecuting, said the defendant and his father lived near each other and there had been a long-running dispute between them, including acts of violence.

On March 8, Mr Alderson visited his son. He had been drinking and it was almost certain the defendant had as well.

A row started at the front door, which very quickly descended into violence.

After Jackson assaulted his father, Mr Alderson was taken to hospital by ambulance.

He had to have stitches after suffering cuts to his head and face. Mr Alderson also had a black eye.

Mr Richardson said the following morning the defendant was arrested and accepted he had caused the injuries to his father. He claimed his father had arrived at the front door with a hammer.

Paul Hague, defending, said Jackson acknowledged he went too far. He did not have the worst record for violence.

He said the victim had gone round to see the defendant several times that day and had been armed.

If not six of one and half a dozen of the other, there were considerable faults on both sides.

He said Jackson had pleaded guilty at the first opportunity and had admitted to the police causing the injuries at the outset.