A WOMAN escaped from her bedroom with her 18-month-old child seconds before a large rock came through the window showering glass everywhere.

Blackburn magistrates heard Robert John Simpson, who threw the missile, later admitted he had made a mistake in targeting the house on Cog Lane, Burnley.

Simpson, 30, of Melrose Avenue, Burnley, pleaded guilty to criminal damage to a window, an offence which put him in breach of a suspended sentence order. The order was activated and Simpson was jailed for eight weeks. He was also ordered to pay £250 compensation and made subject to a restraining order for 12 months.

Sajeeda Ismail, prosecuting, said the victim had known the defendant in the past. At 4.45am she was in bed with her 18-month-old son when she was woken by the sound of shouting outside her home at 4.45am on Monday.

"She looked out to see Simpson in her front garden where she was aware there were a number of stones and debris," said Miss Ismail.

"She picked up her son and was moving him to another room when she heard a loud bang and the sound of breaking glass in her bedroom.

"She took refuge at the rear of the house and called the police."

Miss Ismail said the aggrieved was scared of what the defendant might do next and requested a restraining order.

Jonathan Taylor, defending, said his client accepted responsibility and apologised.

"He now knows he has targeted the wrong person," said Mr Taylor.

He said Simpson had been assaulted by a group of men a few days prior to the incident.

"One of them was connected to the address in Cog Lane and he was trying to get back at him," said Mr Taylor.

"He accepts it had nothing to do with the lady who was in the house and her child."