THE day after a court had made a restraining order against her husband a Nelson woman returned home to find him sitting in her living room.

Blackburn magistrates heard Haider Farooq was aware the police had been called and were looking for him but went on to commit to further breaches of the order before he was arrested.

Farooq, 20, of Hill Street, Brierfield, pleaded guilty to three breaches of the restraining order in favour of Farzana Ramzan, two charges of damaging a door belonging to her and one of assaulting her. He was jailed for 12 weeks and ordered to pay £120 compensation, £115 victim surcharge and £85 costs.

Parveen Akhtar, prosecuting, said the restraining order was made on October 26. Miss Ramzan returned home with her sister on October 27 and found Farooq in her home. The same happened on October 29.

On November 11 she was asleep on the sofa when she heard the back door open and thought it was her brother.

"She looked up and saw it was the defendant," said Miss Akhtar. "He was under the influence of alcohol and was shouting, demanding to know who else was in the house. When she tried to call the police he took hold of her but she managed to escape and ran out into the back alley."

Miss Akhtar said the victim was very scared because Farooq was not bothered about breaking into her house.

Nick Cassidy, defending, said the assault amounted to his client grabbing her arms during a row.

He said Farooq's family were prepared to support him once he had been dealt with by the court.

"They will provide accommodation, help him get a job and help with any issues he has," said Mr Cassidy.