A MAN drank himself into "oblivion" and ignored a community rehabilitation order after his partner left him taking their two children with her.

Blackburn magistrates heard that while Simon Martin's life had gone into a downward spiral he had managed to pull himself together.

He had voluntarily surrendered himself to a warrant, knowing that the court order would not go away.

"He is anxious to make a fresh start," said Kevin Preston, defending.

Martin, 26, of Brookway, Blackburn, admitted breaching an 18-month community rehabilitation order with a condition that he attends a Think First programme imposed for an offence of driving while disqualified.

The case was adjourned until June 14 for the preparation of pre-sentence reports.

Shirley Powell, for the probation service, said Martin had only kept four of the eight appointments offered to him and had not started the Think First programme.

Mr Preston said the original offence had come to the attention of the police because Martin's partner had tipped them off.

Problems between them developed further because of this and she eventually left, taking their children back to Wales.

"He hasn't seen them since and is quite candid when he says that at that time he started to drink," said Mr Preston.

"He was drinking for months on end and to oblivion.

He said Martin had eventually been evicted from his flat and had only turned the corner after a close friend got hold of him and told him he had to sort himself out.