Padiham man 'tried to fight mum's battle'

Bryan Lee Rothwell (32) had intervened when his mother Denise was being arrested outside the home of Jason Cross, her former partner of 18 years, on Cobden Street, Padiham.

Her relationship with Mr Cross was said to have ended six months before, when he took up with new love Paula Waddington.

Rothwell's mother and Mr Cross had recently argued about the financial aspects of the split and it had turned more nasty, with mind games being played, Burnley magistrates heard.

The hearing was told how Rothwell was also said to have left Mr Cross scared after making threats to him and turning up at his property. But Rothwell's solicitor, Mr Peter King, said: "Mr Cross is a 6ft 7in 18-stone body builder, who would not, in ordinary circumstances, be frightened of a slight young man like my client."

Mrs Alex Mann (prosecuting) said Rothwell had been given a harassment warning to leave Mr Cross and his partner alone after a couple of previous incidents.

Miss Waddington got a message from his sister saying the defendant was coming round.

Mrs Mann told the court :" What Mr Cross says is he is worried about his safety and scared about the comments and the defendant turning up at his address. Mr Cross is frightened of what the defendant is doing at the moment. "

The prosecutor said police attended and a call was made whilst they were there, saying: "We need to sort it out," which the officer heard on loud speaker. She spoke to Rothwell on the phone. He sounded irate, she was trying to calm him down and he then said he was coming round.

The defendant turned up, looking angry and was advised to calm down. His mother was being arrested for allegedly breaching the peace.

Mr King said Rothwell suffered from anxiety and depression. His mum lost her relationship with Mr Cross when he took up with Miss Waddington.

He added: "His mum got very irate. He tried to intervene. She remained under arrest and she was taken to the police station.

"As he was making off from the area, he made some unwise threats to Mr Cross, which he had no intention of carrying out."

Rothwell, of Field Street, Padiham, admitted police obstruction and using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour, on July 3rd. He received a 12-month conditional discharge and was given a six month restraining order.