A GRIEVING son attacked his mother and brother weeks after the death of his father because he blamed himself for the death, a court heard.

Mark Heap, 30, of Grange Street, Accrington, lost control over some flat-pack furniture and attacked his brother. He then felt somebody was behind him, thought it was the victim, and lashed out, striking his mother, Burnley Crown Court heard.

The defendant then ended up struggling with police when they turned up to arrest him.

The court was told how the defendant, said to have put a past of drink and drugs misuse and violence behind him, blamed himself for his father's death and felt he had not done enough to save him after he suffered a heart attack at home.

Heap was spared prison after Judge Barbara Watson described the background to the case as tragic and said the circumstances were wholly exceptional. She told him: "The public interest does not require that you should go to prison."

The defendant admitted two assaults and resisting a police officer in July. He was given a two-year community order with the Think First programme and 80 hours unpaid work.

Judith McCullough, defending, said Heap and his mother had done their best to save his father.

He died four days later in hospital and the defendant blamed himself. He had been stressed and in emotional turmoil.

Heap had been helping around the house and the incident arose out of nothing more than what he felt was poorly constructed flat-pack furniture.

"That perhaps indicates the state of mind he was in, given that he lost control over something so trivial," said Miss McCullough.

Heap was deeply ashamed about hitting his mother. He was upset and angry when police arrived, did not comply with officers when they tried to handcuff him and was CS gassed. He was eventually restrained.

The barrister said the defendant had a record which did him no credit but he had made efforts to turn his life around.

Heap had not been drinking on the night of the offences nor was there any evidence he was under the influence of illicit substances.

Miss McCullough said that from the end of 2004, Heap had got work, had been allowed contact with his child again and had moved back into his parents' home.