POLICE have confirmed that a convicted paedophile jailed for sex offences on teenage street boys in southern Africa, has been moved from a North-East village.

Richard Hayes, a 55-year-old language teacher, served 17 months of a 12-year prison sentence imposed in Malawi.

He returned to Britain last month and had been living on Teesside, only half a mile from Loftus Junior School.

As his crimes were committed abroad, his name does not have to be added to the UK sex offenders' register.

Cleveland Police confirmed yesterday that Hayes was now living at a secret location, but stressed his movements would be monitored.

A spokesman said: "We know where he is and we are liaising with agencies and other people in the area to monitor his actions.

"Until planned changes in the law come into effect, he is not registered as a sex offender.

"However, he will be constantly monitored by the Cleveland Police Public Protection Unit and the Teesside Public Protection Protocol, which will assess the possibility of him re-offending."