MICHAEL Murray claimed his mother-in-law had offered him £2,000 to leave her daughter during their stormy four-year relationship, which she alleged had deteriorated because of his drinking.

But defence solicitor Adrian Williams told Blackburn magistrates it was a classic mother-in-law/son-in-law story with the former being prepared to do anything to end the relationship.

"He does not have an alcohol problem but, unfortunately, his wife does have a mental health problem," said Mr Williams. "He has tried to support her through that but his mother-in-law does not see that her daughter has a problem.

"My instructions are that she offered him £2,000 to leave her daughter but that was something he dismissed out of hand. He loves his wife very much and wanted the relationship to work."

Murray, 39, of Laxey Road, Blackburn, formerly of Rosewood Avenue, pleaded guilty to threatening to damage property belonging to Julie Veevers, threatening to damage property belonging to her mother, Sylvia Thorpe, and damaging a door lock and hinge belonging to Sylvia Thorpe. He was given a conditional discharge for 18 months and ordered to pay £55 costs.

Julie Reilly, prosecuting, said Miss Veevers complained of numerous previous assaults, abuse, mental trauma and, more recently, threats to kill.

"She says she is petrified of him and at her wits end. On the night of this incident she returned home to find him very drunk and threatening and felt intimidated."

Miss Reilly said Miss Veevers told Murray she was leaving him. He said he would smash up the house if she did and threatened her with violence.

At around 11pm he left, saying he was going to drink a bottle of Jack Daniels and wreck the house on his return. "She was terrified and left with her children to go to her mother's house," said Miss Reilly.

Mrs Thorpe told police her daughter arrived at about 2am. At 2.30am, Murray rang demanding to talk to Julie but Mrs Thorpe put down the phone. He rang eight more times and each time she hung up.

At 3am, Mrs Thorpe heard a banging on the front door and saw Murray hitting the door with his shoulder.