A MAN who was banned from any contact with his ex-partner by a restraining order and a non-molestation order was found hiding in a wardrobe at her home.

Blackburn magistrates heard she had told police she hadn't seen Paul Callaghan and thought he was living at his dad's.

When Callaghan was removed from the wardrobe he told officers he was only there because she had invited him.

Callaghan, 39, of Ellenshaw Close, Darwen, pleaded guilty to breaching the orders. He was made subject to a community order for 12 months with 25 days' rehabilitation and 80 hours' unpaid work. He was ordered to pay £85 costs and £85 victim surcharge.

Parveen Akhtar, prosecuting, said police called at the home of the defendant's ex-partner at 7.50am. Initially there was no answer to their knocks on the door but eventually she appeared at a bedroom window and agreed to let them in.

"The police asked if their had been any contact between them and she said she hadn't seen him but had spoken to him on the phone," said Miss Akhtar. "The police explained they wanted to search the property and found him in a bedroom wardrobe."

Imran Hussain, defending, she was clearly complicit in the offence.

"As he told the police he was only there because she invited him," said Mr Hussain. "There is no suggestion of any violence or any other offences."