A man was lucky to escape jail after ignoring an order to stay away from his ex-girlfriend because he still loved her.

Jamie Gibbons was handed a suspended sentence in March after assaulting Lauren Gallagher.

Kirklees magistrates also made a restraining order banning the 21-year-old from contacting her and going to her Dewsbury home.

But on June 4 they went out together for a meal before returning to her home in Sussex Walk.

Prosecutor Alex Bozman said that the pair had carried on drinking and then argued.

This resulted in Gibbons, of Millers Croft in Birstall, grabbing hold of her and Miss Gallagher asked him to leave.

He was arrested and admitted that he knew the restraining order was in place but had ignored it and was staying with her.

Aftaab Hussain, mitigating, said that following his client’s conviction for assault the couple had resumed their relationship shortly afterwards.

He told magistrates: “He should have been more respectful of the court order but love is blind and that love has made him overlook that order.”

Magistrates were told that Gibbons now wanted nothing further to do with Miss Gallagher.

Magistrates sentenced him to an extra 30 hours of unpaid work as a direct alternative to custody.

Gibbons must also comply with a 16-week curfew and pay £85 costs and £85 victim surcharge.