THE mum and dad who were told by a court to take lessons in "parenting" said today that they did not need lessons in how to bring up children.

The separated couple blamed stress and drink for the problems of their 15-year-old son after they were given three-month parenting orders by York youth court to help them stop him getting into trouble again.

The 15-year-old has already been given a three-month action plan of his own after intimidating a witness in a disturbance at an Acomb pizza take-away.

He also pleaded guilty to breaching a conditional discharge for being drunk and disorderly.

The incident also involved his 16-year-old brother, who is now serving an eight-month detention order.

The brothers' mother and father said they separated two years ago. The younger brother lives with his mum.

The boys' mother said: "From my point of view, to say I need lessons in how to bring kids up is an absolute disgrace.

"There are a lot of things they don't know about the background of these kids."

She said the children had suffered as a result of what they saw go on between her and their father in the past, when they were still together.

"They have had some stressful times in their lives, they've got to an age where they've discovered alcohol. They've grown up to be angry people." She said her sons had had a lot of help and were now starting to see that they had a future.

"The courts are making out these lads are animals, but they are so well-mannered. They have a drink and it triggers something off.

"I certainly don't think you can control your kids 24 hours a day."

The boys' father, who said he saw the 15-year-old about twice a week, said: "I think it's a complete waste of time. At the end of the day it's down to themselves if they want to do something.

"Me going on courses isn't going to make a difference. It will only stop when they realise themselves what they're doing is wrong. I'm sick of telling them.

"There are a lot of problems in the estate where they live and a lot of peer pressure."

He said he had tried grounding them and taking away their privileges. "Basically, they're good kids, it's just alcohol plays a big part."