A YOUTH has been cleared of joining in an attack on a man he believed was having an affair with his mother.

Daniel Hart, 19, of Ash Street, Bacup, was found not guilty of assault causing actual bodily harm by a Burnley Crown Court jury. He had denied the allegation.

The jury had been told how Hart's father Alan hit Robert Nuttall because he wrongly thought the victim was a rival for his wife's affections.

Daniel Hart was alleged to have joined in, "putting the boot in" on Mr Nuttall after he had been knocked unconscious.

Hart, who works in a warehouse, told the court he had tried to split up his father and Mr Nuttall. The defendant said he did not kick the complainant and did not use any violence at all.

Alan Hart, also of Ash Street, has earlier admitted assault and his case has been adjourned until the beginning of January for a pre-sentence report.