A CONVICTED sex offender failed to tell police about a snapchat account under the name "thebadboi96" as he was required to as part of the Sex Offender Register requirements.

Blackburn magistrates heard Jonathon Norton had been using the app for more than five months when police discovered it during a routine compliance visit.

Norton, 36, of Old Hall Lane, Pleasington, pleaded guilty to failing to comply with notification requirements. He was jailed for eight months an ordered to pay £187 victim surcharge on release.

The court was told Norton had been recalled on prison licence to complete the remainder of a six-year sentence imposed in 2017 and would not be released until May 2023.

Suzanne Ludlow, prosecuting, said Norton was deemed a high risk sexual offender.

"One of the things he has to do is notify the police within three days of any name he uses online," said Miss Ludlow. "When police carried out a compliance visit in November they inspected his phone and found the snapchat account in the name of "thebadboi96" which had not been registered with the police. It had been in use since June."

Miss Ludlow said Norton made some concerning admissions during interview.

"He said he was using it as he found he wasn't getting any sexual gratification from other means and using snapchat to contact random females," she said.

Gareth Price, defending, said his client had been living in the community for two and a half years and had been visited by the police on numerous occasions.

"On each occasion he has been fully co-operative and no concerns have been raised," said Mr Price. "He has also been compliant with the terms of his prison licence."

He said outwardly Norton had all the signs of a stable life, living with his family and holding down a job.

"Inwardly he concedes a sense of depression, loneliness and isolation which influences his decision making," aid Mr Price.

"He is keen to use the time he spends in prison to make sure he has a support system in place when he is released."