A SEX offender who deliberately gave police the wrong address to give himself, “breathing space”, on his release from prison, is back behind bars.

Alan Ryan Adamson was convicted of sexually assaulting a woman in 2014, for which he was made subject of notification requirements for ten years.

He was jailed for burglary at Durham Crown Court in February last year and on his release, on licence, last month, registered his address with police in Third Street, Blackhall Colliery, two days later.

The court was told when police went to that address six days later the occupant said they did not know him.

Joe Cully, prosecuting, said it was a further six days before police went to another property in Third Street, and found Adamson’s belongings.

He was arrested and told police he thought the Probation Service would have found him accommodation.

Adamson said he had been staying at the house since his release and told police he registered the wrong address, “to give himself breathing space to enable him to secure his own property”.

Mr Cully said Adamson was, therefore, recalled to prison for 28 days.

The defendant, 27, admitted failing to comply with the notification requirements.

Jennifer Coxon, in mitigation, said: “He fully accepts what he has done.

“He served 16 months in prison and was released with no accommodation.

“He explained that his life was somewhat uncertain because he had nowhere to go to and accepts he made the foolish decision to give false information to the police.

“He tells me he resided with a female he has known for number of years.

“He didn’t want to explain to his offender manager that he was in a relationship and wanted to see how it went before notifying probation.

“He doesn’t like people prying in his personal arrangements, but accepts they have the right to do so.”

Judge James Adkin told Miss Coxon: “The whole point of the restriction is that the defendant’s location is known to police so they can ensure he’s not in an inappropriate environment for a sex offender.”

Miss Coxon said, in response: “What he wanted to do here is promote a fresh relationship.

“His partner did know about his convictions.”

Judge Adkin imposed a four-month prison sentence, of which Adamson must serve two months behind bars, meaning he should be due for release within weeks.