A SEX offender gave chocolate to one boy and bought a birthday present for another, despite a court order preventing him having contact with children.

Blackburn magistrates heard that Warren Hawkins was subject to an interim Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO) sought by police because of "serious concerns" that he was a risk to the public.

At the time Hawkins was working as a delivery driver for a company which delivered products into schools.

Hawkins, of Yates Fold, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to two offences of breaching an interim SOPO. He was fined £200 with £50 costs.

Peter Wild, prosecuting, said Hawkins started working for the Blackburn branch of a national firm last February but failed to reveal full details of his previous convictions for cottaging in 1998.

The breaches of the interim order were in April and in the summer. A full order was imposed in November.

Mr Wild said that during his work, Hawkins became aware that a 12-year-old boy had a birthday approaching and later handed a present and a card to the boy's mother.

A 10-year-old boy who went into his workplace was seen eating a bar of chocolate which he said had been given him by Hawkins.

Mr Wild said Hawkins had told his boss that he was being investigated over allegations by two school girls relating to a time when he was working as a bus driver. It was not until November 2005 that he told him a SOPO had been granted.

"It was at that stage that he admitted he had a conviction from 20 years ago for cottaging," said Mr Wild.

Michael Singleton, defending, said there was no suggestion that Hawkins had committed any offences. He said Hawkins conceded that his behaviour was in breach of the restrictive terms of the SOPO.

"However, there was never any complaint about his behaviour towards the children," said Mr Singleton. "At the time when sex offenders working in schools was in the headlines his boss contacted police just to make sure it was all right for Hawkins to deliver into schools.

"It was at that point the Public Protection Unit pointed out that Hawkins was not allowed to have contact with children."

Mr Singleton said Hawkins was suspended from work but was held in high regard by his employers.

"It is hoped he will be allowed to return to work," said Mr Singleton.