A FATHER-of-three in contact with his ex-girlfriend after a court ordered him to have nothing to do with her, has kept his freedom.

Burnley Magistrates heard how Ivan Anthony Sharples, 37, had had difficulty accepting the two-year relationship was now over.

Sharples, of Langdale Road, Padiham, who is charged with harrassing his former partner, Amanda Green, admitted breach of bail conditions.

He was re-bailed by the bench, who stressed that when the justices put conditions on bail, they were meant to be obeyed.

His case was adjourned until September 20 and the defendant was told not to approach prosecution witnesses and not to go within 100 metres of Shakespeare Street, Padiham.

Geoff Ireland, defending, said Sharples had spent four and a half hours in custody, had never been locked up for a criminal matter and it had been a salutory experience for him.

He told the court: "The defendant has to come to terms with the break up of the relationship and says he will if he is given a chance today. This relationship is clearly over and the lady does not want anything more to do with him."