AN ex-convict on the Sex Offenders Register did not tell police when he moved, a court was told.

Burnley Magistrates heard how those on the register had to notify local officers within 14 days if they changed address - but it was only discovered Derek Kearney, 34, had gone to a new property when he was arrested for something else. Kearney, of Cross Bank, Padiham, admitted failing to comply with the requirements of the Sex Offenders' Register, theft of a Visa card and attempting to obtain property by deception.

He was fined £100, with £65 costs. Andy Robinson, prosecuting, said in September 2000, Kearney was put on probation for three years after being convicted of gross indecency with a child. He was put on the Sex Offenders' Register for five years.

The defendant tried to use a stolen credit card he said he had found to get a jacket and pair of shoes worth £140 from a Burnley shop.

The owner became suspicious straight away as he did not even try them on and Kearney was arrested.

When he was taken into custody it was found he was on the Sex Offenders' Register but the address he gave was different.

Richard Taylor, defending, said when Kearney was released from custody he was told by police he should only notify them if he moved somewhere permanent.

The address in Padiham was only temporary accommodation and he did not believe he was doing anything wrong.

The solicitor added there was nothing sinister in what the defendant had done and he had always notified the police of changes of address in the past.