A CHILD molester, said to have threatened his probation officer and refused to tell him where he was moving to, must stay behind bars.

Peter Hernon, jailed for 30 months last year for sex offences, had to move several times after being 'hounded' when his past became public knowledge.

He was driven from an address in Clitheroe after pamphlets branding him a paedophile were distributed in the town, Burnley Crown Court heard.

Hernon, formerly of Percy Street, Nelson, and Whalley Road, Clitheroe, is currently serving 70 days for breach of prison licence.

Judge Raymond Bennett, sitting with two justices, threw out his appeal against conviction and told him to serve the rest of the 70 days.

The court was told that under the terms of his licence, Hernon, a former businessman, had to notify his supervising probation officer in advance of any change of address so it could be approved or disapproved by the officer.

He had been convicted of three breaches of the licence - twice failing to notify a change of address and once threatening his probation officer, Owen Wells.

Paul Hague, for the probation service, said Hernon had been released in January and his licence expired on April 8.

At the time Hernon met Mr Wells he had had to move because of 'adverse publicity,' and he and Mr Wells had a 'clash of personalities.' In April, Hernon was at an address 100 yards from a school and then went to a property where the landlord's grandchild was staying. Both addresses were disapproved by Mr Wells.

Hernon then moved several times, notifying his probation officer after the event.

When Hernon once refused to inform the probation service of one change of address, he told them he would notify them one minute before he moved, said he would be going on holiday and refused to give any details.

Mr Wells told the court Hernon was a difficult man to get on with. He was 'bloody minded' about notifying his change of address. He told a probation officer, not his supervising officer, after he had moved.

Ian Whitehurst, for Hernon, said the defendant had moved around hotels and pubs in Clitheroe and been 'hounded' because of his background.

He had difficulties with accommodation since his release from prison and pamphlets had been distributed in Clitheroe branding him a sex offender.

He said on one occasion, Hernon could not tell his supervising officer where he was going because it had not been confirmed and he said it could be within a moment's notice.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.