A REGISTERED sex offender failed to notify police of a change of address when he moved to Scotland and then returned to his home town.

Stefan Baronowski, 46, of Adelaide Terrace, Shildon, did not inform police of his whereabouts after temporarily moving to Scotland to try to find work, South Durham Magistrates Court heard yesterday.

Baronowski, who sells copies of The Big Issue in Darlington, had informed police that he had moved north and was residing in guest houses while looking for a job.

James Thomas, prosecuting, said Baronowski did not inform police when he returned to his mother's home in Shildon and was subsequently arrested in Northgate, Darlington.

He admitted the charge of failing to notify the police of his change of address.

Rory Todd, for Baronowski, said his client had not been aware that he was no longer registered at his Shildon address and that it had been a misunderstanding on his behalf.

He said Baronowski had moved to Scotland temporarily, but was made homeless after his quest for a job proved fruitless. After sleeping rough for a while he returned to the region.

Magistrates granted Baron-owski a conditional discharge for six months and ordered him to pay £55 costs.