A TEENAGER breached a restraining order by meeting up with a 16 year old girl.

Blackburn magistrates heard on both occasions Joshua Hancock punched the girl in the face.

Hancock, 18, of Westgate, Burnley, pleaded guilty to two charges of harassment and two of assault.

He was remanded in custody for the preparation of a pre-sentence report.

Rachel Evans, prosecuting, said on August 2 Hancock approached the girl and there was an argument during which he punched her in the face.

On August 20 he saw her in Burnley town centre at about 9pm, the court heard.

He started shouting that he was going to do worse and then followed her for 40 minutes.

“He was shouting abuse and she was distressed and crying,” said Miss Evans.

“His response was to punch her in the face again.”

Damien Pickup, defending, said his client claimed that on both occasions the victim had encouraged the contact.

“She came to meet him” said Mr Pickup. “He accepts they argued on both occasions and he punched her.

He has pleaded guilty straight away and that is to his credit.