A “HIGH risk” sex offender didn’t tell police where he was living, Pennine magistrates heard.
Leon Slattery, who was convicted of sex offences when he was about 14, should have registered a new address with police within three days. Slattery, who had flouted the sex offenders’ register three times before, admitted failing to comply with the notification requirements between April 17th and 23rd at Nelson.
The defendant (25), of Westmoreland Street, Nelson, was fined £110, with £85 costs and a £15 victim surcharge. The Bench, who said he had tried to inform the police, told him they thought he had been negligent. They added he did have issues with addresses due to the nature of the original offences.
Mr David Lawson, for Slattery, said he had been effectively homeless for the best part of three or four days.
He had been to the inquiry desk at Nelson police station three or four times to try and explain and was told he ought to go to Burnley Police Station. He went there and explained several times and then got a tenancy agreement. It was dated April 23rd, but the landlord wouldn’t allow him to move in until May 1st. Police knew where he was and traced him to an address in Nelson.
Mr Lawson said the defendant, who police suggested was high risk, had been negligent and was not someone who had gone underground. The solicitor added: “This is not the most serious breach.”
Slattery told the justices: “This is the first time I have a settled address.