A 21 year old man who had his girlfriend’s name tattooed on the back of his neck found the relationship was less permanent than the ink.

She dumped him and his solution to the problem caused a row which ended with him appearing in court.

Blackburn magistrates heard Jordan Cotton went back to the tattooist and got him to put a line through his ex’s name and write underneath: “S**T HAPPENS!”

But the first time she saw the new body art it started a row during which he smashed her mobile phone.

Imran Hussain, defending, said Cotton regretted what had happened.

“He thought the relationship was going well and in the fairy tale stage of the romance he had her name tattooed on his neck,” said Mr Hussain. “She wasn’t very happy when she saw the edited version, just two weeks after they split. This caused a row during which he grabbed her phone and threw it against a wall.”

“He accepts the relationship is now over and he doesn’t intend to have any further contact with this lady, or any more tattoos.” Cotton, of Branch Road, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to damaging a mobile phone belonging to Olivia Nuttall. He was given a conditional discharge for 12 months and ordered to pay £150 compensation and £85 costs.

Speaking after the hearing Cotton said he regretted having the original tattoo done but was pleased with the subsequent alteration.