A MAN who had been attacked and knocked unconscious ended up being arrested.

Blackburn magistrates heard the incident happened on Frederick Street, Oswaldtwistle, and police arrested Robert Cochrane after realising he was banned from being on the street by a restraining order.

Cochrane, 31, of Craven Street, Accrington, pleaded guilty to breach of a restraining order. He was sentenced to four months in prison suspended for 12 months with an alcohol treatment requirement.

Katie Beattie, prosecuting, said police were asked to go to Frederick Street at 11.20pm to investigate a report of a disturbance. They found Cochrane on the street and he appeared to be upset and agitated.

“His former partner lived on Frederick Street and there was a restraining order preventing him from contacting her or being on her street because of previous violence towards her,” said Mrs Beattie.

Peter King, defending, said his client had been attacked and beaten and left unconscious.

“The circumstances of that assault are totally unexplained,” said Mr King.

“He has no recollection of why he was on Frederick Street, who assaulted him or why," Mr King added.