A CHILD sex offender claimed to have escorted Princess Diana across a minefield as he charmed his way into the lives of numerous women, taking advantage of their generosity.

Serial liar Joshua Matthew Walmsley’s web of deceit included claims that he had been in the Royal Marine Commandos special forces, spoke six languages and had four degrees, Blackburn magistrates heard.

He also claimed to have protected the late princess and to have worked as a bodyguard.

But his list of lies hid the sinister secret that he was a child sex offender - and he was breaching requirements of the sexual offenders’ register by spending the night in their homes while their children were present.

Walmsley, 39, of Bedford Street, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to two charges of failing to comply with notification requirements and three charges of fraudulently attempting to obtain employment at restaurants by producing a false CV.

He was sent on bail to Preston Crown Court to be sentenced on January 18.

Tracey Yates, prosecuting, said one of Walmsley’s victims had met him at a barbecue organised by the Dean of Blackburn Cathedral.

She said: “He spoke with a Canadian accent and she said he was charismatic.

“He said he had lived in Germany for the last 10 years but originated from Vancouver. He claimed to be an engineer, a deep sea diver, in the Marine special forces, a bodyguard and even that he had guided Princes Di across a minefield.”

She said the victim became suspicious when she said she had been to Vancouver but he quickly changed the subject.

“She Googled him and started to unravel his lies,” said Mrs Yates. “She discovered a blog created by women who had been subjected to his charms under various names.”

A second victim met him through a dating site and he spun her the same tales,the court heard.

Mrs Yates said the fraud offences related to Walmsley’s attempts to pass himself off as a top chef and gain employment at establishments including the Stanley House Hotel and Spa in Mellor and Clog and Billycock in Pleasington.

“He produced a CV which suggested he had worked at many leading establishments,” said Mrs Yates. “Statements have been obtained from three of them but there were many others. In all cases he failed to reveal any previous convictions.”

Mrs Yates said his record showed 49 previous offences from courts the length and breadth of the UK. It included 30 aliases and false dates of birth. The sexual offence in Scotland in 2013 resulted in a prison sentence and him being placed on the sex offenders’ register.

Jonathan Taylor, defending, said none of the women Walmsley had spent time with had raised any concerns about his behaviour towards their children.

“He perhaps hasn’t understood the finer points of the sex offender requirements which are different in England and Scotland,” said Mr Taylor.