A CONVICTED sex offender who was supposed to be living in a Darlington hotel has been jailed for failing to the police he had moved out.

Mark McLucas was not living where he was supposed to be during a three-month period last year, Teesside Crown Court heard.

The 46-year-old heavy goods driver was living in a guesthouse in Guisborough, east Cleveland, or staying at a girlfriend’s house on Derby Street, Darlington, between September and December.

Rachel Masters, prosecuting, said throughout that period McLucas was in contact with the police but failed to tell them that he was no longer staying at the hotel.

She a police officer tried to set up a meeting with the defendant but he failed to turn up, the officer contacted the Darlington hotel only to learn that McLucas had moved out in September.

During police interview following his arrest, Miss Masters said McLucas admitted failing to comply with the order and told them about where he had been living when he wasn't working away as a HGV driver.

The court heard how in 2013 McLucas was given a suspended prison sentence with probation supervision and was ordered to go on a sex offenders' treatment programme.

He had admitted ten charges of making indecent images of children, one of possessing them and two of having extreme pornography.

Miss Masters said: “The defendant has repeatedly breached the notification requirements of which he is subject. These charges are however, for his non-compliance with the order.”

McLucas, who appeared in court via video-link from Durham Prison, admitted three charges of failing to comply with his notification order.

In mitigation, Michele Turner said her client had pleaded guilty at the very earliest opportunity and was not failing to comply so he could commit offences.

She added: "There was a certain degree of pressure put on him to leave the area (Darlington)."

Judge Paul Watson QC jailed McLucas for four months,

He said: "Since the order was originally made you have breached it time and time again, which us why you find yourself in custody once again.

"I'm prepared to accept you were not deliberately failing to adhere to the order to commit further offences."