A SEX offender virtually banned from contact with children under 18 was a disc jockey at a party for families.

Burnley Crown Court heard how David King, 36, also known as David Finn, had been given probation with conditions after he had fondled a 10-year-old girl, leaving her upset and crying.

King admitted breaching a combination order and was fined £100, with £100 costs, after Judge David Pirie said the breach was extremely limited. He said the defendant had been told not to undertake leisure activites with children under 18 whilst subject to the three year probation part of the order.

The judge added whilst he had the power to resentence King for the original offence, it would not in his judgement be right to do so.

King, of Adelaide Terrace, Blackburn, had in April 1998 admitted indecent assault and had been given the combination order, which included 50 hours community service. He was yesterday cleared of a further allegation of indecent assault after a trial at Burnley Crown Court. The court was told in June 1997, King stroked the 10-year-old's stomach, legs and private parts, she had tried to push him off but he had persisted. The complainant was upset and crying because of what had happened.

When he was interviewed, King accepted he touched the victim's legs and stomach but said there was nothing sexual in it. He was later given the combination order and had completed the community service part.

He originally denied breaching the order, but then pleaded guilty at the magistrates court after the party in December 1999 and was committed to the Crown Court for sentence.

The combination order had also stated that the defendant should live where approved by his supervising officer and not live in a household with anyone under 18. He had not breached those parts of the order.

Although he had formed a relationship with a young mum, he had stayed at her home only occasionally at weekends, when children were not present.

Anthony Cross, defending, said the breach was rather technical. Adults and children were present at the party and all King had done was play records.