Contacting his ex partner against a restraining order, which amounted to an allegation of harassment in Truro Magistrates’ Court, was the result of a 34-year-old man keying in the wrong telephone number on his phone.

Kevin David Martin, of Comfort Road, Mylor Bridge, pleaded guilty to harassing Perdita Barnicoat on July 9 at Flushing by sending a text message and by leaving two voice messages on her phone.

Gail Hawkley, for the CPS, said the restraining order was made in February after Martin was convicted of an offence of battery against Ms Barnicoat, his ex partner, from whom he had been separated after their eight-year-relationship.

The text message was asking to meet, the other two voice mails left no messages.

The court heard from solicitor Martin Pearce that the defendant Martin had been intending to contact a friend whose telephone number was stored next to Ms Barnicoat’s on his phone and, being drunk at the time, he accidentally pressed the wrong key.

Martin, a share fisherman, was fined £450 and told to pay £130 costs and surcharge.

The restraining order continues.