A FORMER director of a family firm of steeplejacks was made the subject of a restraining order after admitting harassing his former partner.

Blackburn magistrates heard that Jacquelie McMyler received several phone calls from Mark Anthony Warburton and in one he told her she was a 'dead woman.'

Warburton, 35, of Fowler Height Close, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to harassment and criminal damage. He was made subject of the restraining order for an unlimited time, put on probation for 12 months and ordered to pay £50 compensation and £75 costs.

Lorna Smith, prosecuting, said Warburton and Miss McMyler had lived together for 16 years and there were two children of the relationship.

The criminal damage had occurred when she was in her car and Warburton kicked the vehicle, leaving a footprint in a door panel. Warburton then walked off without saying anything. The phone calls were reported to the police and further calls were received while an officer was at Miss McMyler's home. The calls were traced to a public phone box and a public phone in the Lord Raglan public house.

Basharat Ditta, defending, said Warburton and Miss McMyler had a relationship for 18 or 19 years and had lived together for 16. When they first met he was a successful businessman as a director of Warburtons Steeplejacks.

Because of problems, he decided to sell off his shares in the business and had started drinking because of the pressures and stress associated with business problems.

Mr Ditta said this had led to problems with the relationship and Warburton's only previous conviction, affray in 1998, was an incident involving his partner.

"It is quite a tragic story, but since these latest incidents there have been no further problems and he assures me there will be none in the future," added Mr Ditta.