A grieving dad flouted a court order by failing to explain his absence from an appointment after falling down stairs.

Andrew McClements, 56, was punished by a Carlisle Crown Court judge last June for two breaches of a previously imposed restraining order.

McClements contacted one former partner – despite being banned from doing so – by sending her a text and attending her place of work.

This left her feeling a 'bag of nerves', the court heard.

McClements also sent a second ex-girlfriend abusive messages, in breach of a separate restraining order, after she told him to cease communication.

In court, McClements, of Derwent Street, Cockermouth, was given a lengthy community order and told to complete a 'building better relationships' (BBR) course.

But on May 5 this year he didn’t attend a rehabilitation session and, in August, he failed to comply with an appointment without good reason.

As a result, he was brought back to the crown court today.

He admitted the breach but told Judge Richard Archer he missed one appointment after falling down stairs and breaking some toes.

“I should have tried to make it,” said McClements of his failure to explain the absence properly, within five working days. “I feel very bad about it.”

Judge Archer told McClements there were occasions when he could submit medical proof with a view to absences being deemed 'acceptable'.

Summarising a probation service breach report, he said: “You have been going to the majority of appointments.

"The probation service knows, as I know, that you are still coming to terms with the loss of your son.

“Some of the help they are offering, you are either not ready to try or it is not working because it is in a group setting.

“The suggestion is that I revoke the order you are on currently and make a fresh order.

"Rather than a BBR programme – group sessions may not be the best dynamic – the fresh order would be with a rehabilitation activity requirement (RAR) and that work would be done on a one-to-one basis.”

Judge Archer accepted 'grief is not a one size fits all commodity'.

McClements said he was planning to attend an appointment next week and pledged to follow a new 18-month community order imposed by the judge.

This includes 20 RAR days.

“I do apologise,” said McClements. “I am going to try my best, Your Honour.”