A FATHER who broke into his ex-partner's home then smashed her television and punched her brother has been jailed.

Haider Farooq, 21, appeared before Burnley Crown Court to be sentenced for assault, criminal damage and breaching a restraining order.

The court heard following their split at the end of 2017, an order was placed on Farooq forbidding him to contact his ex-girlfriend, Farzana Ramzon, unless arranging childcare.

But despite the order being in place, the pair continued to have an 'on and off' relationship, going on family days out together and remaining intimate. But by August 2018 things had started to turn sour, and Ms Ramzon no longer wanted to see Farooq.

Prosecuting, Emma Kehoe said: "The couple separated in 2017 and as a result, a restraining order was put in place. But in August of last year, Mr Farooq accepts that he was at Ms Ramzon's home when he shouldn't have been.

"On the first occasion, August 13, he remained outside the house and left soon after her arrived. But two days later he went inside when he was not invited. A dispute broke out between Mr Farooq and his ex-partner's brother, Rahim Ramzan, and there was contact where an injury was caused."

The court heard how after entering the house where his two-year-old son was present, Farooq, of Hill Street, Brierfield, proceeded to damage items in the home, including the TV.

Bob Elias, defending, said the complainant's case was weakened by the fact she had engaged in consensual breaches of the order.

He said: "Ms Ramzon went along with breaching the restraining order when it suited her."

Sentencing Farooq to 15 months' jail, Judge Andrew Jefferies said: "When you went to the address on August 15, you broke in and displayed violence towards property inside the home. You also caused a minor injury to the face of Rahim Ramzan.

"When I initially considered this, I was working on the basis that this was an out-of-the-blue visit. But it is clear to me that there had been a period of time before these offences were committed that you and the complainant had been in a consensual breach of the order.

"I can't ignore that. However, you do fall to be sentenced for criminal damage and assault as well."

Farooq was also issued with a five-year restraining order banning him from contacting his victim, unless arranging child care, or going on Dalton Street, Burnley.