A CONVICTED child sex offender was found to have a number of children's toys in his room at a bail hostel.

Blackburn magistrates heard Christopher Peter Scott told police he had bought the toys to give as gifts when he had children of his own.

Sending him back to prison for seven days, District Judge Alexandra Preston said she did not accept his explanation.

"The presence of these items cause me great concern in the context of your previous convictions," said District Judge Preston. 

Scott, formerly of St Peter Street, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to failing to comply with requirements of post-custodial supervision.

Megan Tootle, for the Probation Service, said Scott had been jailed for 10 months  for sex offences involving female children and had been released on April 26.

She said the defendant's behaviour suggested he presented a "very high risk" to children, the public and probation staff.

"The items found in his room raised concerns as to potential grooming of children using the items," said Miss Tootle.

"A condition of his licence is that he is not allowed to own or possess any children's toy without prior consent."

Miss Tootle said other elements of the breach included damage to a wardrobe in his room and a drug test which showed the presence of cannabis and gabapentin.

Imran Hussain, defending, said his client appreciated it was important to comply with the conditions of his post-sentence supervision in order to minimise the risk of re-offending.

"He says the toys found in his room are items he has bought so that when he has children of his own he will be able to give them these items," said Mr Hussain.

"He accepts that being a single man who is not in a relationship is going to cause you some concern."

Mr Hussain said his client blamed the failed drug test on him smoking other people's discarded cigarette ends.

"He is a man with complex mental health needs," said Mr Hussain. "He is keeping his appointnents but it is accepted there are elements of his behaviour which are causing concern."