A man was in breach of a restraining order because his former partner let herself into his home when he left the door open, a court has heard.

Blackburn Magistrates' Court was told Terry Wakeley remonstrated with his ex asking her to leave during the incident.

She responded by trashing his house, and when police arrived she blamed members of the travelling community who she said had forced entry and caused the damage.

Wakeley, 39, of Infirmary Road, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to breach of a restraining order.

He was remanded on bail for the preparation of a pre-sentence report.

Bilal Saeed, prosecuting, said Wakeley had been made subject to the restraining order on acquittal.

On the day of the offence police received a phone call from a mobile phone linked to the victim saying Wakley was in breach of the restraining order.

When they arrived at the defendant’s home they found the property in disarray.

The victim told them no offence had been committed. She said members of the travelling community had forced entry before trashing the property.

Bill Rostron, mitigating, said the offence was entirely down to the so-called victim.

He said Wakeley, who had been the tenant of the property for two years, was well aware of the need to keep away from the lady in question.

“He had a little lapse in that when he went to bed that night he left his door open,” said Mr Rostron. “When he got up in the morning he found her in his home.”

Mr Rostron said his client argued and remonstrated with his ex-partner for 45 minutes but she refused to leave.

“She became angry and upset and caused the damage to his home,” said Mr Rostron.

“She then told the police a pack of lies about the travelling people.

"I have told him he should have had his door locked and he should also have left the house and told the police she was in his house and was trespassing.

“This offence would not have taken place had she not been so reluctant to leave having entered uninvited,” added Mr Rostron.