A SON who has subjected his parents to seven years of violence and abuse has been banned from visiting their home - unless they invite him.

Alex Stewart Birtwistle, 24, has attacked both his parents Christine and Stewart, smashed up furniture and threatened to knife his mother in his campaign against them, magistrates heard.

"Long-suffering" Mr and Mrs Birtwistle did not want to lose contact with their son, but had had enough and wanted him to be helped, the court was told.

The bench heard how the Birtwistles needed protection from their son, but did not want to be estranged from him.

The defendant had also caused trouble at his grandmother's home as a result of his alcohol addiction.

Birtwistle, now of Taylor Avenue, Edgeside, had admitted harassment, between January 2001 and November last year. He was given a community order with 12 months supervision and the addressing substance-related offending programme.

The justices, sitting at Burnley Magistrates' Court, made a restraining order banning him from going to the homes of either his parents or grandmother, in Woodcroft Street, Rawtenstall, unless invited.

He must also leave either of those premises when asked and he is prohibited from entering the street drunk. The defendant must also pay £75 costs.

Bill Maude, prosecuting, told the court Birtwistle had "ill treated" his parents over a long period because of his alcohol abuse.

He had smashed a coffee table onto the floor and had then hit his father with a broken leg.

Birtwistle had also pushed his father against a fireplace with such force the victim suffered cracked ribs and had been in pain for many weeks afterwards.

Mr Birtwistle would say the defendant had made countless threats to he and his wife and caused damage in the house.

Mr Maude said Birtwistle, who would drink nearly every day, had threatened to stab his mother and knocked a door off its hinges and said he would throw it at her.

The prosecutor said: "Tragically they need the protection from their own son."

Mark Williams, defending, said Mr and Mrs Birtwistle wanted to do the best for their son but had got to the end of their tether.

Mr Williams said: "He accepts he will have to stand on his own two feet and that his parents have had enough of his behaviour."