A man who was subject to a restraining order which prohibited him entering Colne took a chance by going to work on a building site in the town.

Blackburn magistrates heard careless talk by Peter James Sawley in a butty shop eventually led to the owner contacting the police.

Sawley, 44, of Garden Street, Padiham, pleaded guilty to breach of a restraining order. He was remanded in custody for the preparation of a pre-sentence report. 

Lee Woodyatt, prosecuting, said that over a three week period Sawley went into the same sandwich shop on a daily basis. The owner heard him say something about not knowing if "she even lives around here."

"The shop owner questioned him and he told her who he was talking about," said Mr Woodyatt.

"She was shocked when she realised who he was and called the police."

Mr Woodyatt said that when  the victim realised Sawley had been coming to Colne she felt frightened.

Graeme Parkinson, defending, said Sawley was self-employed but did most of his work for one particular man.

"He had a contract on Colne and asked my client to go and work there," said Mr Parkinson.

"Initially he said he couldn't but then succumbed to pressure."

He said Sawley had not tried to seek out his former partner despite, by his own admission, working in Colne for some time.

"He accepts that he should have said no but he needed the money," added Mr Parkinson.