A MAN has told how he "snapped" and attacked a teenager with a table leg after a year-long campaign of terror against his elderly parents.

Edward Howard walked free from court with a conditional discharge after magistrates said he had reacted to "extreme provocation".

Today his parents, Charles, 75, and Maureen, 65, of Littlemoor Road, Clitheroe, said their son was just sticking up for them after police had failed to act.

Blackburn magistrates heard how the 14-year-old "ringleader" who he attacked had refused to complain to police because he knew his bad behaviour had led to the incident.

Howard, 41, of Mearley Brook Fold, Clitheroe, pleaded guilty to affray and possession of an offensive weapon.

Speaking after the hearing, Howard said: "On the night of the incident I just snapped.

"My mum rang me up in tears and I accept that I lost it.

"I am not a violent man but I went looking for them and when I saw this lad I was really angry.

"I grew up in Clitheroe and I had to hang around the streets because there isn't anything to do.

"I just hope people reading this, the police, the council and the parents of these kids realise just what is going on and do something about it."

His mother said: "Everybody says he did the right thing, but we know you can't take the law into your own hands.

"The kids were banging on the door, throwing stones and hurling abuse at us." Claire Fanning, prosecuting, said the prosecution evidence came mainly from a 14-year-old boy who was not the subject of the attack. Miss Fanning said the witness and some friends were approached by Howard in Turner Street and he appeared to have some kind of stick concealed under his jacket.

She said he grabbed one of the youths but then said "sorry wrong person" and let him go.

She said: "Within seconds another friend appeared on the street and Howard took out the two-foot long wooden table leg and chased after the boy shouting I'm going to kill you.' "

Miss Fanning said when Howard caught the boy he struck him with the leg before pushing him against a wall. He then hit him three or four times about the legs and the lower back, she added.

Jonathan Taylor, defending, said: "There had been a systematic campaign against his parents."

He said the couple had care of a grandson who had been targeted by bullies at school.

Mr Taylor added: "The people who torment him at school didn't even allow him a safe haven at his grandparent's home."

He said there had been many anonymous, abusive phone calls.

"These incidents have been reported to the police but nothing has been done," said Mr Taylor.