A BUILDING boss lied to police when he claimed the female in his car was called Nicola and they were on their first date.

Blackburn magistrates heard the female turned out to be Jordan Monaghan's ex-partner and he was banned from having contact with her by a non-molestation order.

When police went to arrest him Monaghan produced a knife and threatened to cut his own throat.

Monaghan, 27, of Belgrave Close, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to breaching a non-molestation order and possessing a knife.

He was sentenced to 12 weeks in prison suspended for 12 months and ordered to pay £85 costs and £115 victim surcharge.

Catherine Allan, prosecuting, said when he was stopped by police Monaghan described his passenger as "just some bird I have met today" and claimed they were on their first date.

When police went to arrest him he pulled away and tried to run off before getting into the back of his car and holding the knife to his throat.

"The female is in court today and she says she does not want the order to continue," said Miss Allan. "That is a matter for her to take up with the civil court."

Paul Schofield, defending, said his client had two businesses in the construction industry and the jobs of his 87 employees would be put in jeopardy if he was sent to prison.

He said Monaghan had been contacted by his former partner and she asked him to pick her up.

"The message that is coming through loud and clear is that she does not want this order and she is here today to support him," said Mr Schofield.