A MAN was found hiding in the wardrobe when police returned after confirming he was in breach of a restraining order.

Blackburn magistrates heard the order had been made despite James Patrick McInerney's partner refusing to co-operate with the prosecution.

And the court heard she again refused to co-operate with officers who eventually found him in the wardrobe.

McInerney, 33, of Market Street, Bacup, pleaded guilty to breach of a restraining order.

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

Catherine Allan, prosecuting, said police attended a report of a domestic at the flats where McInerney lived.

At that stage they were not aware of the retraining order but when they returned, despite his girlfriend refusing to co-operate, they found him hiding in the wardrobe.

Richard Prew, defending, said McInerney had moved out of Blackburn to make a fresh start in Bacup after the restraining order had been made.

"She sent him a text to say the restraining order, which she never co-operated with, had been removed," said Mr Prew.

"She moved in with him in Bacup and they put the past behind them."

Mr Prew said the domestic the police attended involved another couple living in the same flats and not his client and his partner.