A Keighley man who was a member of Skipton’s Escape Healthclub has been banned by magistrates from going near it after verbally abusing the owner.

Perwaz Asghar, 39, was handed a restraining order by magistrates after admitting using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour towards Amanda Quintana-Robinson at the club on December 3.

Asghar, who had originally denied the charge, changed his plea to guilty just before the start of his trial.

The self-employed takeaway owner was also ordered to pay £400 in fines and costs.

The court heard Asghar, who had been a member at the club at Sandylands Business Park for just a couple of months, got into a row with Mrs Quintana-Robinson about potential new members he had brought along.

The row quickly escalated, resulting in Asghar using strong and abusive language towards Mrs Quintana-Robinson and suggesting he would return to “pay her a visit”.

Another member of the gym in the changing room had described Asghar as ranting, being aggressive and constantly using bad language. He had thought about challenging him but decided against it because he appeared so aggressive.

The court was told Mrs Quintana-Robinson, the club’s managing director for 25 years, had been shaken by the ten-minute exchange and believed Asghar was capable of carrying out his threats.

A claim by Asghar that Mrs Quintana-Robinson had made a racist comment was completely denied, the court was told.

In mitigation, Sarah Wadd-ington said Asghar was a very religious family man with five children. He had thought he was helping the gym by introducing new members.

She said he had thought Mrs Quintana-Robinson had not been her usual self and the argument had been a misunderstanding.

The restraining order bars Asghar from contacting Mrs Quintana-Robinson in any way, including electronically or by a third person, and from entering the curtilage of the club.

He was fined £150 with costs of £250. There was no order for compensation.