A MAN claimed he only contacted his ex-partner because he wanted to pass on good news to his step-son about an upcoming inheritance.

But Blackburn magistrates were told Nicholas Lee Armstrong had a "fixation" with his ex and had even asked his offender manager from the probation service to contact her for him.

Armstrong, 46, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to two charges of harassment. He was made subject to a community order for 18 months, fined £25 and ordered to pay £40 costs and £95 victim surcharge.

Scott Parker, prosecuting, said one charge related to four phone calls made to the aggrieved and the other to him turning up at her home and knocking on the door.

"Both put him in breach of a restraining order which was imposed on December 23 last year," said Mr Parker.

Jonathan Taylor, defending, said he had been shown documents by the defendant which referred to an inheritance he was due to receive in the near future.

"He has always promised his step-son, who lives with his ex-partner, that once he receives any money from the estate he will be giving the majority of it to the boy with whom he has a very close relationship," said Mr Taylor. "All he wanted to do was give an update as to where things were up to.

"He understand it was a foolish thing to do and there will be no repeat," added Mr Taylor.

Julie Dunn, of the probation service, said at the time the restraining order was made Armstrong had also been made subject to a community order.

"His offender manager says he has a fixation with his ex-partner and has even gone as far as asking her to contact the victim for him," said Mrs Dunn. "He is no longer welcome at the Salvation Army hostel where he has been living because he has been a nuisance, setting off fire alarms in the building."