A 46-YEAR-OLD man joined an online dating site to try and force himself to move on after the breakdown of a relationship.

But instead of finding new friends he found a mutual acquaintance of him and his ex partner and asked her for help in repairing his romance.

Blackburn magistrates heard the indirect contact put Gary Gilmartin in breach of a restraining order imposed in June.

Gilmartin, 46, of Bayley Street, Clayton-le-Moors, pleaded guilty to breach of a restraining order in favour of Helen Lockyer.

He was fined £200 with £85 costs and £30 victim surcharge.

Enza Geldard, prosecuting, said a friend of Miss Lockyer's phoned her to say Gilmartin had made contact with her on the Plenty of Fish dating site.

"He asked the friend to help him get back into Helen's life," said Mrs Geldard.

Keith Rennison, defending, said nothing in the messages was threatening.

"He has taken the breakdown of the relationship very badly," said Mr Rennison. "He had signed up on Plenty of Fish to try and force himself to move on and it was quite by chance the mutual friend appeared on the website."