A WOMAN looking after children in Blackburn was 'terrified' when she saw the man who had been jailed for assaulting her getting out of a taxi.

Blackburn magistrates heard the woman tried to avoid contact with Steven James Thurston but he walked towards her and made a comment before she could get into the house and call the police.

Thurston, 48, of New Wellington Mews, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to breaching a restraining order in favour of Sharon James.

He was sentenced to eight weeks in prison suspended for 12 months and ordered to do 40 days rehabilitation activity and pay £85 costs and £115 victim surcharge.

Alex Mann, prosecuting, said Miss James was looking after her niece's children in Flimby Close and was returning from the shop when she saw Thurston getting out of a taxi.

"She tried to avoid him by going round the back but he must have seen her and walked towards her and made a comment," said Mrs Mann. "She was petrified and physically shaking. She said she will always be frightened of him and had not expected to see him."

Gareth Price, defending, said the contact had been totally accidental.

"The children Miss James was looking after are actually his niece's children and they live in the Flimby Close area as do most members of his family," said Mr Price. "Following his release from prison he went to see his family and had not expected to see Miss James there. She lives in Bacup and he is excluded from that town under the terms of the restraining order."