A FATHER of three who objected to a curfew order was advised by a judge to think again or he may face an "alternative penalty."

Peter Campbell, 24, had not been happy with the length of the six-month order imposed after he was convicted of damage, Burnley Crown Court heard.

Judge Anthony Proctor, sitting with two justices, said he had the appellant's record in front of him and if Campbell's case was sent back to the magistrates' court, they might be considering alternative penalties.

The judge told Campbell's barrister, Martin Hackett: "I think I would have a word with him."

Jobless Campbell, of Bobbin Close, Accrington, abandoned his appeal against the sentence of Hyndburn magistrates.

Kendal Lindley, for the Crown, had told the hearing a curfew order could only be made when a person consented.

If Campbell had not consented in the lower court, it was an "unusual state of affairs," as the justices would not have made the order.

He added he would have thought the appeal court was powerless to intervene in the sentence.

Mr Hackett said Campbell had consented to some form of curfew order but did not realise it would be as long as six months.