A desperate Lytham dad who could not attend his son's birthday because of a court order made a phone call to the child's mother in which he threatened to petrol bomb her home.



Blackpool Magistrates heard that Anthony McPartland is the subject of a restraining order which bans he from contacting the mother of three Gemma Dobson. He must also follow legal guidelines if he wishes to see his children.

But on his son's birthday McPartland (88) of Fallowfield Road,Ansdell,LythamSt Annes decided to ring his former partner asking her to put the child on the phone so he could wish the boy Happy Birthday.

When Gemma Dobson refused he made the threat.

McPartland admitted breaching the terms of his restraining order and a bail offence.

Pam Smith,prosecuting, said the order had been in force for nine months when the call was made.The mother did not call police herself but her social worker did after being told about the incident.

Hugh Pond,defending, said that policed never believed his client would carry out the threat.

"It was one call and all he wanted to do was to wishhis son Happy Birthday," said the lawyer.

Magistrates asked for probation reports on McPartland before sentence.