A 47-YEAR-OLD man has been banned from seeing his bride-to-be by a court order requested by the police.

And William Parker today accused the police of sticking their nose in where it wasn't wanted.

"We are both adults, we know what we want and we are going to get married," said Mr Parker, who spent three days in police cells after being found with his fiancee.

"What right have the police got to meddle in our lives like this?"

His solicitor questioned whether the anti-social behaviour legislation, under which the order was made, had been intended to interfere with people's private lives.

"Are these two people to be married in the presence of God and with the permission of the Chief Constable?" Andrew Church-Taylor asked Blackburn magistrates.

"My client and Janet Dugdale have been partners for nine years. They are engaged to be married. She is sat at the back of court to support him. They are in every way a couple but while this strange order remains, they must stay apart."

Parker, 47, of Temple Drive, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to breaching an interim Anti-social Behaviour Order (ASBO) by being with Janet Dugdale. He was fined £50 with £50 costs.

The court heard the ASBO was made in Parker's absence on November 8 and Scott Ainge prosecuting said the action was taken over concerns about Parker's conduct towards Miss Dugdale.

"The order was served on him and he indicated he would not comply," said Mr Ainge.

Four days after the order was made, police were called to the accident and emergency department at Blackburn Royal Infirmary where they found the defendant pinned on the floor by security staff, the court heard.

"Miss Dugdale shouted at the police to leave Parker alone and said he was with her," said Mr Ainge.

Mr Church-Taylor said that the application for a full ASBO would be vigorously opposed, adding: "The course of true love hasn't always run smoothly and there have been difficulties in the past but these are surely matters between them."