A SPURNED lover bombarded a married woman with phone calls and pestered her at work after refusing to accept the end of their five-year affair.

Blackburn magistrates heard that Graham John Hodgson, 38, phoned Deborah Love 208 times in 24 hours and punched her on the back of the head after he had been jilted.

Elizabeth Parker, defending, said her client now realised he was better off out of the "clandestine" relationship.

Hodgson, 38, an electrician, of Wasdale Avenue, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to harassing Mrs Love and assaulting her.

He was fined £75 with £50 costs and ordered to pay £200 to his victim.

He was also made subject to a restraining order for 12 months which prohibits him from contacting Mrs Love or a shoe distribution warehouse in Albert Mill, Lower Darwen, where she works.

Tom Snape, prosecuting, said Mrs Love had tried to end the relationship on several occasions and there had always been problems.

He said that twice in 2003 she had to call the police after he came to her work.

"After that she continued the relationship until January of this year," said Mr Snape. "He continued to contact her at work and on July 19 he walked into her unit."

He said that Mrs Love told Hodgson to go away and that she had nothing to say to him but he refused.

When a friend of Mrs Love's also suggested Hodgson should leave he was told to mind his own business.

"When her friend again asked Hodgson to leave, he produced a screwdriver and threatened the other man," said Mr Snape.

As a result of that incident Hodgson was given an official police warning but at the beginning of August he made 208 calls to her in a 24-hour period before again attending at her workplace, the court was told.

He said that when Mrs Love picked up the phone to call the police he came up behind her and said: "You deserve this" before punching her on the back of the head three or four times. Mrs Parker said Mrs Love had wanted the best of both worlds, seeing Hodgson and staying married.

She said: "In the end it all got out of hand and he now wants the relationship to end.

"That may be easier said than done because only three days ago she phoned him and said she still loves him."

After the case, Mr Hodgson said: "I am not a violent person but I am so frustrated because I never knew what the truth was.

"I don't want any more fuss. I am so glad it is over and I just want this to go away."