A 73-YEAR-OLD high-risk sex offender has been made subject to a Sexual Offences Prevention Order after police found photographs of children on his phone.

Blackburn magistrates heard there was also an image of him in a child’s bed although there was no child present.

James Joseph Corbett, of Ashton Road, Darwen, agreed to the order being made.

It prohibits him from having contact with any person under the age of 16, taking pictures of any person under the age of 16 or possessing any device capable of taking images unless he makes it available to a police officer for inspection when requested.

Chris Keogh, prosecuting, said Corbett had numerous previous offences of a sexual nature, the last in 1996 when he was convicted of 14 indecent assaults on a girl under the age of 14.

“He is classed as a high risk sex offender and is subject to visits by the police,” said Mr Keogh. T here was concern when on one of these visits they found pictures of children on his phone.

“Equally concerning was his evasive reaction when questioned and the fact there were no pictures of adults on the phone.”