A BURY woman and her daughter slept on the living room floor and barricaded their doors in case her husband returned to harass her, a court was told.

Philip Burdon (48), of Gwenfro, Wrexham, was before Rochdale magistrates admitting a charge of harassment and the case was adjourned for reports until October 1.

Burdon was granted bail but must stay away from Nelson Street, Bury, and the Derby High School.

He had sent his ex-wife Jill numerous abusive and threatening telephone messages, had thrown stones at her home and once inside the premises had thrown paint over the carpet and cut up clothing items. Damage was estimated at £1,900.

Miss Enza Chiappi, prosecuting, said the couple had divorced in 1982 and five years ago the complainant and her 13-year-old daughter had come to live in Bury. Burdon continued to harass her claiming she was being unfaithful. He had thrown stones and knocked on the door and once admitted to the house had rushed upstairs to the bedroom shouting: "Where is he."? He even looked through the wardrobe. Because she had concerns about his mental health, Burdon's wife allowed him to stay.

He remained upstairs not speaking and the complainant felt something was " brewing." He was due to go back to Wales. She left the house and when she returned she found a mess with clothes flung around and paint having been thrown. Burdon sent further threatening text messages.

Because of her concerns, the complainant and her daughter had taken to sleeping on the living room floor and barricading the doors, said Miss Chiappi.

On his behalf, Mr Stanley Sumara said on no occasion had violence been used against the aggrieved.

He added that previous reports did not make sympathetic reading and it would be useful to adjourn the hearing for psychiatric reports, even though Burdon did not want that.