A CONVICTED rapist found himself back in court after going missing off the police radar for more than two months.

Thomas Kirwan failed to notify the relevant authorities that he had moved address in March this year.

Police only became aware of the situation when they called at his previous address as part of their regular checks on the 40-year-old.

Teesside Crown Court heard how he had been living between both of his parents house since he split up with his partner but failed to notify the police.

Paul Rooney, prosecuting, said Kirwan was convicted of rape of a female under 16 in 2011 and had been made subject of an indefinite sexual offences prevention order and notification requirement to register his home address on an annual basis.

Mr Rooney said the defendant was given a caution in January after failing to notify the authorities of a change of address before officers carried out another home visit.

He said: "On May 20 the police attended the registered address and found he had moved out in March and had moved to his father's address and the police found out he was currently living with his mother.

"He said he had been living between his mother and father's addresses."

Kirwan was made subject to the notification requirement when he was jailed for four-and-a-half years after he attacked a vulnerable teenage girl who had turned to him for help.

In 2011 the court heard how he offered the teenager a place to stay when she was facing difficulties in her life before raping her.

He had pleaded guilty to a single charge of rape.

Yesterday, Kirwan, of Ayton Drive, Redcar, admitted failing to comply with the notification requirements which were imposed following his release from custody.

His solicitor, Simon Walker, said Kirwan was only visited twice a year by police as he had complied with the order until this year when he had relationship and mental health problems.

He said: "He is back on a more even keel and has got over the break up of his relationship."

Judge Howard Crowson sentenced Kirwan to a 12-month community order.

He said: "The whole point of a sexual offences prevention order is so that the police are able to manage your risk but they can't do that if they don't know where you are living."