A 45-YEAR-OLD man was reported to police for breaching a restraining order when his partner decided he was “surplus to requirements.”

Blackburn magistrates heard Damian Kevan Dickinson had been a “rock” for Alison Maden but was dumped when she got back with a former partner.

Dickinson, of Barnoldswick Road, Barrowford, pleaded guilty to breaching a restraining order in favour of Miss Maden. He was sentenced to 12 weeks in prison suspended for 20 months and ordered to pay £115 victim surcharge and £85 costs.

Parveen Akhtar, prosecuting, said Dickinson had been made subject to a suspended prison sentence in 2015 for breaching the restraining order which was made for an indefinite period in 2013.

She said the latest breach amounted to a number of text messages sent to the aggrieved and several unwanted visits to her house.

Ben Leech, defending, said since the 2015 breach the aggrieved had been involved in a relationship with another man. When that broke down she turned up “by chance” at the gym his client used and they spoke.

“He accepts that after that contact between them resumed.” and their relationship developed,” said Mr Leech. “At New Year he said the state of affairs couldn’t continue and brought up the restraining order. He sad she would have to go back to court and have it removed if the relationship was to continue.”

He said Miss Maden then resumed the relationship with the other man and the defendant was no longer of any use to her.

“It was then she told him not to come round ir she would contact the police,” said Mr Leech. “He believes the complainant uses him as a safety net when things are going wrong for her. She knows he cares, she knows he will be there for her and he will be supportive.”