TWO drunken teenagers who picked on a middle-aged man going home from an evening out with friends are both behind bars.

Burnley Crown Court heard how best friends Andrew Kirk and David Smith's victim David Allen, who just the day before had found his father dead in bed, was stoned and kicked after he was taunted and abused.

Kirk, who sobbed in the dock, was sent to a Young Offenders' Institution for six months and his co-defendant for three months, after a judge said the mental damage caused by their actions on Mr Allen, who was more than twice their age, would make him feel unsure whenever he was out at night.

He added Kirk had been intent on causing as much trouble as possible and the defendants' drink-fuelled behaviour was something all law-abiding citizens feared.

Kirk, of Skiddaw Close, Ightenhill, and Smith, of Ulpha Close, both Burnley, had admitted assault causing actual bodily harm and had been committed for sentence by the Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale Magistrates. Both are 18 and had no previous convictions..

Richard Orme, prosecuting, said Mr Allen went to the Dugdale Arms pub in Burnley with his wife and friends and left about 11.30pm. A group of four youths including the defendants were standing by the door. As they walked along abuse was shouted and Kirk shouted he was Eddie Murphy and was going to get Mr Allen.

The youths followed the complainant's party up Dugdale Road and Mr Allen tried to ignore the threats from Kirk. The defendant then began to throw stones at the Allens' group, took off his coat, ran towards the victim and tried to deliver a flying kick to Mr Allen.

At that stage, Smith then ran towards the group and kicked the victim to the face, knocking him to the floor. While he was on the floor, both defendants kicked the complainant in the back and ribs.

Mr Orme said Mr Allen suffered a black eye and bruising but did not need medical treatment.

Robert Crawford, defending, said it was a tragedy that the two 18-year-olds should behave in the way they had and bring shame and upset upon their families. Both came from thoroughly decent homes, their actions had been out of character and their parents could not believe it.