A 41-YEAR-OLD Blackburn man’s act of gallantry earned him a night in the cells.

Blackburn Magistrates’ Court heard Colin Howie bumped into his ex-girlfriend late at night, and she asked him to walk her home.

But he was banned from having any contact with her by a restraining order and, as they walked towards her home, they were spotted by police.

Howie, of Southworth Street, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to breaching a restraining order.

He was fined £110, with £20 costs, which the magistrates set against the time spent in custody.

Andrew Church-Taylor, defending, said the meeting between the former partners had been totally coincidental.

He said: “It was late at night and she asked for his protection as she walked home.

“Their relationship is well and truly over, and there was nothing in this other than him doing her a favour for old times’ sake.”