A PAEDOPHILE who was banned from having contact with children invited three young girls into his home.

Blackburn magistrates heard the children's mother was unaware of her neighbour's history or that he was subject to a sexual offences prevention order when she allowed her children to go into his home.

John Paul Whitehouse, 45, of Castle Street, Brierfield, pleaded guilty to breaching the order. He was sent in custody to Burnley Crown Court to be sentenced.

Andy Robinson, prosecuting, said Whitehouse had been jailed for five years in 2013 for rape and grooming a 14 year old girl.

On the day of the latest incident there had been a gathering close to where Whitehouse lived and there was a disagreement between adult males.

"The defendant volunteered to take three girls into his home while the situation settled down," said Mr Robinson.

"The mother only found out about his convictions later and it left her feeling extremely concerned and questioning his motives for taking the girls into his house."

Nick Cassidy, defending, said Whitehouse had been invited to the gathering but didn't attend because he was worried about the issues it might have caused in relation to the sexual harm prevention order.

"His neighbour told him about the problems and he allowed the children to come into his house to watch TV," said Mr Cassidy.