A FATHER of five, who took a group of children and a pregnant woman "hostage," has escaped a prison sentence.

Michael Fegan, 27, barricaded the front door and at first refused to let the sobbing youngsters go.

At one stage he appeared at a window with a knife in his hand, abused police and threatened to set his dog on them, Burnley Crown Court heard.

Fegan, a night shift worker, was told by Assistant Recorder Robert Warnock what he had done deserved custody.

He said: "It is clear you also assaulted the pregnant woman by grabbing her around the throat and kicking her.

"In effect, these were offences of false imprisonment."

However, he added, he was "only just satisfied" he could pass a community sentence.

The judge said Fegan helped look after the five youngsters, and he would have sent him to prison, but for what his girlfriend had told the court of his assistance with the family.

Fegan, of Spencer Street, Burnley, admitted affray. He was sentenced 200 hours community service and must pay £350 costs and a £50 fine for breach of a conditional discharge.

Martin Hackett, defending, said Fegan had argued with his father and the row continued back at the defendant's partner's home, where he was caring for the children.

He lost his temper and police were called.

Nobody had come to any harm and there had not been a break up in Fegan's relationship with his partner.

Fegan was a good father and now had settled employment, the first time for quite a while.

Mr Hackett went on: "This was an unpleasant incident.

"The defendant now has a job and family and is going in the right direction to try and put this incident behind him."

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