A PETROL stop put a 54-year-old man in breach of a non-molestation order.

Blackburn magistrates heard Neil Shaw was banned from any contact with his ex-wife or approaching anywhere where she worked.

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She was employed at the Church Hall petrol station where he went for petrol which put him in breach even though she wasn't working at the time.

Shaw, of Rhyddings Street, Oswaldtwistle, pleaded guilty to breaching the order. He was fined £110 with £100 costs.

Catherine Allan, prosecuting, said on the day of the offence Marie Shaw received a call from a work colleague to say Shaw had been into the garage.

"She was frightened he was trying to find her and that he would hurt her again," said Miss Allan. "He says he went in because he needed petrol for his van but there were plenty of other petrol stations he could have used."

Paul Huxley, defending, said Marie Shaw wasn't at the petrol station and his client knew she wouldn't be there.

"He has absolutely no intention of ever meeting up with his ex-wife again," said Mr Huxley. "He doesn't want anything to do with her."

He said Shaw was a passenger in the van and the petrol warning light had been on for some time as they travelled on the motorway.

"It looked like they may run out of petrol and he suggested they pull in because he knew his ex-wife wouldn't be there," said Mr Huxley.