A 32-year-old man went round to his sister's home in a drunken state and smashed a window despite a non-molestation order having been made by the county court.

But Hyndburn magistrates heard that at the time of the offences the order had officially lapsed, although it was re-imposed six days later.

And Anthony Longson, who had already pleaded guilty to breaching the order, was allowed to withdraw his plea and the case was re-opened and discontinued.

Longson, of Higher Antley Street, Accrington, had also pleaded guilty to criminal damage to a window in the door at the home of his sister Tracy Longson.

He was fined £100 and ordered to pay £80 costs.

Philippa White, prosecuting, said that through no fault of Miss Longson's, her papers had not been returned.

This meant the non-molestation order had lapsed on May 7.

"There was a period of 12 days when technically there was no order in force and it was during that period he attended at his sister's house," said Mrs White.

She said in February there had been a similar incident at Miss Longson's home when her brother had smashed the same window, resulting in the county court order.

On May 13 he turned up at her home in a drunken state but Miss Longson refused to let her brother in.

She then saw him at the window with a large wooden block which he used to smash the outer pane of glass.

Scott Parker, defending, said it was sad to see a brother and sister squabbling in the way they were in this case.