A 15-YEAR-OLD girl was found at the home of a married father-of-two just two days after he had been issued with a notice under the Child Abduction Act.

Blackburn magistrates heard when police went looking for the girl Muzzammil Iqbal claimed he was home on his own and had been asleep.

But when they searched the house officers found the girl curled up in the base of a bed.

Iqbal, 25, of Fir Street, Nelson, pleaded guilty to detaining a child from lawful control.

He was sentenced to eight weeks in prison suspended for 12 months and made subject to a restraining order which prohibits him from having any contact with the girl.

He was ordered to pay £85 costs and £115 victim surcharge.

Philippa White, prosecuting, said following a complaint from the child's mother police spoke to Iqbal, warned him about the possible abduction of the child and issued him with an official warning notice.

"There were clearly concerns about her being 15 and him being a married father of two," said Mrs White.

On June 2 the girl's mum again alerted police that she was missing and they went to the defendant's home.

"They could see there was someone in the house but it took a long time for the defendant to answer the door," said Mrs White.

"The girl later told her mother she had spent the night at his flat after walking from her home in Burnley. He claimed she had only turned up a couple of minutes before the police."

Nick Cassidy, defending, said prior to the child abduction notice being served Iqbal had exchanged pleasantries with the girl and they had a cup of coffee together.

"At that stage he didn't know she was only 15 although that was explained to him when the abduction notice was served on him," said Mr Cassidy.

"He says that on Saturday there was a knock on the door and she was there. He says she told him she had been kicked out and he foolishly let her in."