Blackburn sex offender didn't tell police he was back from trip

BLACKBURN SEX OFFENDER DIDN'T TELL POLICE HE WAS BACK FROM TRIP

A high-risk sex offender who left the country for six months failed to register with police on his return.

Blackburn Magistrates' Court heard Mohammed Patel had been in South Africa completing a drug rehabilitation programme, which he had told the police about before he left.

Patel, 43, of Troy Street, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to failing to comply with sex offender registration requirements.

He was sentenced to 26 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months, with 10 days of rehabilitation activity requirements.

He was ordered to pay £85 costs and a £154 victim surcharge.

Deputy District Judge Rita Pice said Patel had been well aware of what was required because he had previous convictions for not complying.

Graeme Tindall, prosecuting, said Patel was classed as a high-risk sex offender.

He said the defendant had been out of the country between May and November.

"On his return, he should have registered his address with the police, but failed to do so," said Mr Tindall.

Zabair Afzal, mitigating, said Patel had made the police aware he was going to South Africa to complete a drug rehab programme., "He was there for six months and he says it was a great help," said Mr Afzal.

"When he returned, he simply forgot to register; he wasn't trying to hide from the police."