A FORMER deputy head teacher, who kept claiming he still owned a house a couple had just moved into, has been banned from contacting them.

Burnley Magistrates Court had earlier heard how Vincent Campbell, 41, a foster carer, had owned the house Chris and Helen Thornton made their home, but it had been repossessed.

He bombarded the couple with letters laying claim to the property at Marl Pits, Rawtenstall, and telling them to get out.

Mrs Thornton, who was eight months pregnant, feared she would lose her house.

Campbell was warned by police but arrested after he carried on the campaign.

The hearing had been told how father-of-two Campbell was upset after he had declared himself bankrupt, his home was repossessed and he thought it had been sold with ‘indecent haste’.

Campbell, of Springhill, Higher Cloughfold, Rossendale, had earlier admitted harassing the Thorntons, between May 17 and June 30.

He had been warned to expect a high level community order, but a district judge imposed a 12-month conditional discharge.

He was also made subject to a three-year restraining order prohibiting from contacting the victims or approaching them.

He had no previous convictions.