Anti-bedroom tax campaigners gathered in support of Michael Hilton and his family.
Around a dozen protesters met outside Burnley Crown Court as Hilton was jailed for 10 months and was joined by family members including Hilton’s son Johnny.
Speaking outside court Johnny, 29, said: “It’s been great to see so much support.
“I don’t think he should have been in prison in the first place.
“He’s got nothing now.
“People in the community where he lived are disgusted and are worried that it might happen to them.
“He’s had a lot of support and people have been stopping us in the street all the time.
“He’s a big miss to the community.
“He shouldn’t be in prison as he’s already served the equivalent of an eight-month sentence.”
Johnny, who lived with his father on Meadoway in Church before the incident, said he is now struggling to find a new home.
He said: “I’m staying with different family members at the moment. I’ve tried to look for a new place myself but it’s too expensive. I had been in that house my whole life.”
Gareth Bradbury, 51, who is part of the ‘Bolton Against Bedroom Tax Group’ said: “We just think it’s really unfair and unjust.
“They have made a scapegoat of him.”
