A DEVOUT Christian came home drunk from watching football and flew into a rage because a cross had been turned upside down, a court was told.

Hyndburn magistrates heard that Michael Edward Bee blamed his partner's 19-year-old son who, he claimed, was the "anti-Christ".

And as the teenager was sitting on his bed Bee, who hopes to become a lay preacher, hit him in the face, before again calling him the anti-Christ and threatening to kill him.

Bee, 47, of Gordon Street, Darwen, pleaded guilty to assaulting Greg Hope and damaging his laptop computer.

He was fined £250, and ordered to pay £80 compensation and £75 costs.

Charlotte Crane, prosecuting, said Greg, a Blackburn College student, was working on his laptop around 11pm on August 30.

His mum was in her room getting ready for bed and he heard Bee, her partner, come back from watching football at his friend's house.

He heard Bee stumble on the stairs and assumed he was "drunk again".

Bee went into the teenager's bedroom and started shouting at him, accusing him of turning a cross upside down.

He snatched his laptop and threw it across the room.

The teenager told police Bee had a "shrine" in the conservatory where he kept numerous religious books and crucifixes.

Greg's mum, Jennifer, tried to calm her partner and get him out of the room.

Greg was concerned that his mum might be assaulted and called a friend to come and help.

Roger Pickles, defending, said his client had no previous convictions, or cautions.

He said Bee felt he had been provoked by his partner's teenage son who didn't approve of the relationship and didn't respect his religious convictions.