A 38-YEAR-OLD Burnley man sent two "indecent and offensive" text messages to a former work colleague who was five months pregnant at the time.

Blackburn magistrates heard that Paul Anthony Turner was "deeply ashamed and embarrassed" by what he had done and was full of remorse.

Turner, of Mere Court, Burnley, pleaded guilty to two charges of sending an article conveying an indecent or grossly offensive message. He was fined £100 and ordered to pay £125 compensation to his victim and £55 costs.

Wendy Chappell, prosecuting, said the recipient of the messages had been five months pregnant when she received them and they had caused her anxiety and distress.

Daniel King, defending, said his client could not excuse his behaviour. He said during the time when Turner worked with the victim they would talk and she would tell him things about her past including former boyfriends.

Occasionally she would give him graphic details," said Mr King. He said Turner went off work suffering from depression and it was while he was at home, where he lives with his mother, that he sent the messages.

"He finds it difficult to explain why he sent them," said Mr King. "He was including things that she had told him and in a way it was intended to be mischief and almost as a joke. He accepts it went far beyond a joke but that is what was going through his mind."

Mr King said Turner had been to his doctor who had prescribed medication.

"He now realises how dreadful the messages were and how they must have upset the lady concerned," said Mr King.