A MAN invited round to his ex-partner's house despite a non-molestation order was caught out by a surprise visit by her mum.

Blackburn magistrates heard the ex-partner refused to call the police but her mother had other ideas and Lee Craig McPhee was arrested for breaching the order.

McPhee, 35, of Ennerdale Avenue, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to breach of the order. He was subject to a deferred sentence for an assault on his ex-partner and a suspended sentence. All matters were dealt with by the imposition of 24 weeks in custody.

Andy Robinson, prosecuting, said the assault had taken place in September when McPhee and his girlfriend had been out drinking.

There was a row when they got home and it was accepted that she had pushed him before he pushed her to the ground and she banged her head.

The non-molestation order was made in October and on April 23 the woman protected by the order was at home when her mother visited.

She was in the living room and saw McPhee in the garden.

"He daughter opened the door and said he had better go because her mother was there," said Mr Robinson.

"She refused to call the police as her mother asked and mum decided to do it herself."

Gareth Price, defending, said the non-molestation order had been obtained to protect his client's former partner and she could reasonably be expected to behave in a certain way.

"He says that isn't the case and she reaches out and contacts him," said Mr Price.

"On the day of this incident he foolishly responded to an invitation to attend her home.

"What wasn't expected was her mum being there. If she hadn't been present the police would not have been called."