A SEX offender has avoided jail despite breaching a court order by failing to notify police he spent time at an address where a youngster was residing.

Thomas Walton, of Marshall Lane, Northwich, appeared at Chester Crown Court on Wednesday, April 16, to face three charges of failing to comply with the notification requirements of the sex offenders register.

The court heard the 28-year-old breached the court order three times between June 24 last year and February 15 this year.

Walton admitted to twice failing to inform police he had spent at least 12 hours at a household where someone under the age of 18 resided. These offences occurred at addresses in Winsford and Newton Aycliffe, County Durham.

He also failed to notify police he had spent at least seven days at the Winsford address in past 12 months.

Judge Simon Berkson handed Walton a prison sentence of 10 months, suspended for 18 months.

Walton must also complete 180 hours of unpaid work and participate in up to 45 days of rehabilitation activity.