A 21-YEAR-OLD man who had been officially warned about his relationship with a 15-year-old girl was seen talking to her outside an off-licence.

But Blackburn magistrates heard that the chance meeting had been entirely innocent and had lasted a matter of seconds.

And defence solicitor Roger Pickles said the charge which his client faced did not represent the criminality of what he had done.

John Scott Lambert, 21, of Vernon Street, Darwen, pleaded guilty to detaining the girl so as to remove her from the lawful custody of a person having lawful control of her.

He was fined £100 which was set against the time he had spent in custody.

Mr Pickles said the offence, under the Child Abduction Act, would show on his client’s record.

“It looks and sounds a lot worse than it is,” said Mr Pickles.

“He was seen talking to the girl for a very short period of time and then they both went their separate ways.”