A registered sex offender has been jailed after failing to inform the authorities he had moved.

Frank Doherty, formerly of Rifle Street, Haslingden, was arrested at a bookmakers in Accrington last month and had been living like a ‘nomad’ for several months, Burnley Crown Court heard.

Stephen Parker, prosecuting, told the court how Doherty failed to inform the authorities that he had moved to Church, near Accrington, and had not spoken to them since September last year.

When officers tried to check in on him they found he was no longer living at Rifle Street, Haslingden and had not been seen during November and December.

Mr Parker said: “He was moving from place to place and had not found somewhere stable to stay yet.”

The court heard how Doherty was placed on the sex offenders’ register for life following a rape in the 1980s and more recent sexual assault conviction.

Mr Parker said Doherty had previously appeared in court on three occasions for failing to comply with similar notification requirements.

Doherty, 60, pleaded guilty to being an offender under the Sexual Offences Act and failing to reasonably comply with requirements to reside as registered and failing to notify of a change of address.

Pat Buckley, defending, said Doherty had a ‘chronic addiction’ to alcohol and that his life was in an ‘unenviable state’.

He told the court: “It’s a requirement that’s very hard to satisfy when you are of no fixed abode.

“Personally his life is in a chaotic state. His residency changes week to week, month to month. It was nomadic.

“He had been asked to look after a fellow drinker who was suffering from terminal cancer and was living at Church to help his friend.

“He has been trying to find somewhere that will keep him, but once his convictions are revealed he’s moved on as he is reviled.”

Doherty, of Norfolk Grove, Church, was jailed for 24 weeks.

Sentencing, Judge Robert Altham said: “You are a persistent breacher of this order.

“It’s necessary for the authorities to know where you are. It’s right to say there’s good reason why you are subject to this regime.”