A WELL-known Dudley boxer whose life has been “shattered” by booze has been warned to stay sober or face jail.

British Middleweight title contender Andrew Flute, who regularly fought at Dudley Town Hall, went to the home of his estranged wife to tell her, "I love you and I want to come back."

However the retired fighter, who had been drinking heavily, went to the property in breach of a restraining order forbidding him from having any contact with his wife June.

She warned the 43-year-old, who had a history of domestic violence, he was getting into trouble and he eventually left but he was arrested by police a short while later.

Flute admitted breaching the order and also breaching a six week prison sentence suspended for 18 months for harassment.

Judge Michael Dudley said he would defer sentence in the case until June 11 and told him: "Keep out of trouble and keep off alcohol and you will walk free."

But he warned the father-of-three, of Pemberton Road, Coseley: "If you don't you will go down the steps and into custody."

Andrew Baker, for Flute, said his client's life had been ruined by his drink problem adding: "It is because of alcohol that he has lost everything."

He the court Flute's wife did have some sympathy with him and his problems and maintained: "He is capable of staying away from alcohol."

Mr Baker said Flute was making progress in his determined bid to put himself back on track and concluded: "He is a man whose life has been shattered."