A CONVICTED sex offender failed to register with police after being released from a prison sentence.

Blackburn magistrates heard Kenneth Flynn was living on the streets and because he didn't have an address didn't think he had anything to tell the police.

Flynn, 56, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to comply with sex offender registration requirements. He was given a conditional discharge for 12 months after the magistrates heard he was being recalled on prison licence.

Catherine Allan, prosecuting, said people on the register who were homeless were required to tell the police and then report to them weekly so they had some idea of where they were.

"In this case the police had no knowledge of where he was," said Miss Allan.

"When he turned up for an appointment with the probation service the police were called."

Jonathan Taylor, defending, said as a result of the custodial sentence Flynn had lost his address.

"He has been living on the streets and to his mind there was nothing he could tell the police because he had no address," said Mr Taylor.

"He says he did go to the police station but left before he was seen to. He knows he should have stayed and insisted on signing something."