A 34-YEAR-OLD man struggling to come to terms with the break-down of a relationship confronted his ex at her town centre workplace, a court was told.

Blackburn magistrates heard that Ian Aspin kicked the door of Exchange Coffee, Flemming Square, and then barged his way in and swung a punch at his former partner.

Aspin, of Devon Road, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to using threatening behaviour towards Rebecca Slynn. He was remanded on bail for the preparation of a pre-sentence report.

Pat Bramley, prosecuting, said Aspin, who had been drinking, approached Miss Slynn at the coffee shop at 4.30 pm.

She was serving a customer when he demanded that she come outside and talk to him.

"While they talking outside she was very nervous and began to laugh but that antagonised him," said Miss Bramley. "He poked her in the chest and threatened to kill her if he saw her out with him'."

She didn't want a scene at her workplace but he began to kick the door and said; "I'll show you threatening behaviour."

One of her colleagues came out to assist her and then they were joined by the manager who told Aspin the police had been called.

Abid Da, defending, said the break up of the relationship had been difficult for Aspin.

"He didn't go to the shop with the intention of alarming anyone," said Mr Da.

"They were talking outside and it was when she started to laugh that he lost control."