A FORMER drug user who felt his parents had rejected him subjected them to a campaign of harassment.

David Rushton, 22, who has a personality disorder, threatened them, damaged their property and ended up in jail.

He immediately carried on his behaviour on his release and blamed his father for having been behind bars, Burnley Crown Court heard.

Rushton, of Princess Street, Nelson, admitted two counts of breaching a restraining order and was sent to prison for nine months, suspended for two years.

Another order was made, keeping him away from his parents.

Rushton who has been offered a home in Bolton Road, Ewood, Blackburn, by his former cell mate at Preston prison, was committed for sentence by the Pennine magistrates.

Kendal Lindley, prosecuting, said the magistrates made a restraining order, banning Rushton contacting his parents and he was sent to custody. He breached it and got a four month sentence.

Immediately on his release he contacted his father and was later seen by his father near his home.

His father, fearing for his safety, contacted the police.

Robert Crawford, defending, described the case as tragic. Rushton's parents had committed time and effort to him and found it had only brought them heartache.

They had not washed their hands of him, but wanted him to leave them alone until things settled down.

Rushton, who had used drugs in the past, had no psychiatric illness that needed treating.

He had a personality disorder and drugs had taken their toll.

Mr Crawford said Rushton was heartened when his parents had sent him a new pair of trainers while he was in custody. That had convinced him his parents had not lost their love and affection for him.

He said: "The defendant felt he had been rejected, but he had been rejected because of his own behaviour in the first place."

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