A 24 YEAR old man repeatedly had contact with his estranged partner through text messages and facebook despite a restraining order.

Blackburn magistrates were told that while the order was against Christopher Smith the prosecution accepted that the victim had played a part in the breaches.

"It seems that when it suits her purpose she is quite happy to have contact with him," said Michael Church-Taylor, defending.

Smith, 24, of Arran Avenue Blackburn, pleaded guilty to five charges of breaching a restraining order and failing to comply with a suspended sentence order. Sentencing was adjourned until April 5 so the court can receive reports from the community mental health team.

Paul Huxley, defending, said the messages were not one way and there was clearly a thread of conversation.

"She will start conversations about their children and then turns to who he is seeing, who he is having relationships with and it all starts to fall apart," said Mr Huxley.