A MAN breached a restraining order by phoning his estranged partner on the day the order was made.

Blackburn magistrates heard Robert Edward Ibbotson breached the order again just three days later.

Ibbotson, 52, of East Hill Street, Barnoldswick, pleaded guilty to both charges. He was sentenced to 12 weeks in prison suspended for 12 months.

Alex Mann, prosecuting, said Ibbotson made a phone call to his former partner "almost immediately" after the order was made.

He contacted her via a Facebook message to one of her friends three days later.

"It was a way of getting a message through despite the fact she had blocked him," said Mrs Mann. "She was concerned that he was breaching the order so soon after it had been made showing little regard for the order of the court."

Gareth Price, defending, said his client had taken everything in that happened in court when the order was made.

"He made contact to ask about seeing his child and recovering some property," said Mr Price. "He hasn't turned up and made any direct threats."