A Worcester man who does not accept his marriage is over has been jailed for 16 months for breaking a court order not to approach his partner.

Peter Finch, aged 38, of Avon Road, Tolladine, pleaded guilty at Worcester Crown Court to flouting a restraining order made by city magistrates in February last year.

This prevented him from entering the home of Mandy Palmer, mother of his two children, or approaching her.

But on August 9, he barged into her home, which was in Marlow Road, Worcester, said Nigel Williams, prosecuting.

She and the children hid in a bedroom. He shouted at the doorway then went downstairs and sat in the garden until he was arrested.

On September 11, he shouted at Miss Palmer when she was in a friend's car at her workplace. On October 26, Finch accosted her in her back garden, took the back door key and threatened to return.

Although Finch had a record of 60 offences in 24 court appearances, he had committed only one minor offence since 1991 when he began a relationship with Miss Palmer, said Miss Andrea Orchard, defending.

The relationship broke down in 2002 in a conflict about how to bring up their two daughters and Finch had started using amphetamine.

He still loved his wife and children.

Judge David McEvoy QC said Finch's partner had been frightened by his conduct and he should accept the fact she did not want him back.