A MAN found himself locked in the house after his partner discovered text messages on his phone from other women.

Blackburn magistrates heard Awais Parvaz eventually damaged a door to get out of the house.

Mark Williams, defending, said all the messages discovered by the girlfriend pre-dated their relationship.

"It would seem that if they had been talked about things more rationally there may not have been a problem," said Mr Williams.

Parvaz, 29, of Fairfield Drive, Burnley, pleaded guilty to two charges of criminal damage. He was given a conditional discharge for 12 months and ordered to pay £85 costs and £20 victim surcharge.

Parveen Akhtar, prosecuting, said despite the incident the couple were still planning to get married and there was no application for a restraining order.

"On the day of this incident she was going through his phone and saw some messages which caused her some concern," said Miss Akhtar.

"She confronted him and during the row that followed he threw an ornament that smashed.

"She left and locked him in and when she returned found the back door had been kicked off its hinges. In her words, as long as he is on his best behaviour they will be working towards marriage in the near future."

Mr Williams said some would say she shouldn't have been looking through his messages in the first place and if she hadn't there would not have been any problems.

"It seems the relationship will survive this incident and there are plans to marry in the not too distant future," he added.