A 36-year-old man breached a restraining order by making a four word telephone apology to his former partner.
Blackburn magistrates heard Robert David Corbett only made the call because he thought the order had been lifted.
Corbett, of Walter Street, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to breaching a restraining order in favour of Janine Corbett. He was committed on bail to Burnley Crown Court to be sentenced on February 5.
Alex Mann, prosecuting, said an application to remove the restraining order had been listed at court and the aggrieved had attended.
"It appears she then changed her mind," said Mrs Mann. "He thought the order had been lifted."
Keith Rennison, defending, said Corbett had called his ex to apologise.
"It was just four words," he said.
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