A FATHER who tried to force his way into his ex-girlfriend's home after being banned from contacting her has been slapped with a suspended sentence.

Kenny Pinkstone admitted harassing former partner Emma Dix and breaching a restraining order handed to him forbidding the pair from speaking.

Oxford Magistrates' Court heard probation officers claimed the 29-year-old needed to be locked up after failing to comply with two court orders given to him last year.

But District Judge Tim Pattison decided to hand him a six-week sentence, suspended for two years, despite revealing he 'rarely' hears such damning remarks from officers.

He added: "I think Mr Pinkstone seems to think he can do what he likes, which he can't."

The pair, who had been together for seven years, separated two years ago following 'a number of incidents', prosecutor Sarah Mackay told the court on Tuesday.

Pinkston was heard banging on Ms Dix's door, trying to barge his way into her Didcot home before she called police, just before midnight on January 12.

Officers were called to Ms Dix's home three days later when banging and shouting was heard, with police discovering Pinkstone inside, the prosecutor said.

The court was told Pinkstone, who was diagnosed with ADHD as a child, had been suffering with low mood and battling suicidal thoughts for the past six years.

Sabrina Farhan, defending, confessed the defendant had a 'bad record' of complying with court orders but was now willing to engage.

Pinkstone, who admitted two counts of breaching a restraining order, went on to tell the court he failed to complete any unpaid work as he had not sent a letter confirming the court's order to the Department for Work and Pensions and did not want his benefits to lapse.

Pinkstone was handed the one-year restraining order last July, as well as an order to carry out 60-hours unpaid work and take part in a building better relationships programme after making threats of violence.

The defendant, of Kynaston Road, Didcot, failed to do any of the unpaid work and refused to take part in the programme, the court heard.

District Judge Pattison ordered Pinkstone to take part in the 18-month programme, carry out the unpaid work and pay a £120 victim surcharge.