Blackburn magistrates heard the girl noticed Liam Calvert watching her in the shop where she worked and on another occasion he confronted her and her boyfriend in a takeaway.

The court was told there were other incidents over a two-year period and even after police gave him a harassment warning he threatened Sarah Jane Cooper in the street.

Calvert (22), of Holme Hill, Clitheroe, admitted harassment. He was given a conditional discharge for two years and made subject to a restraining order for the same period. He is banned from communicating with Sarah Cooper or entering the Clitheroe store where she works. He was also ordered to pay £350 compensation and £60 costs.

Mrs Alex Mann (prosecuting) said Miss Cooper had a boyfriend and made it clear to Calvert she was not interested in getting into a relationship with him.

She detailed many incidents, including one where he used his car to block a lane in Wiswell and then grabbed her boyfriend by his shirt. On another occasion she was walking towards her car after work when Calvert ran towards her and banged on the window as she drove off.

Calvert was given a harassment warning after that incident but in July she saw him in the street. "She put her head down and tried to ignore him but he approached and made a threat to kill her," said Mrs Mann.

"She says she just wants to be left alone to live her life normally and the main thrust of this prosecution is to obtain a restraining order."

Mr David Leech (defending) said Calvert and Miss Cooper live in the same area and he felt there was some "mutual feeling" between them.

"He got himself emotionally involved and found it difficult to get away from this situation," said Mr Leech. "He has had time to reflect and acknowledges it would have been upsetting for her. He realises what he did was wrong."