A CONVICTED sex offender failed to keep police informed of his address as required by the registration requirements.

Blackburn magistrates heard Christopher Ian Boardwell used several addresses during a four-month period but he claimed that had been forced on him by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Boardwell, 39, formerly of Barrowford Road, Padiham, but now living in Warrington, pleaded guilty to failing to register addresses where he had stayed on more than seven occasions during a 12-month period. He was sent on bail to Burnley Crown Court to be sentenced.

Stacy Morrow, prosecuting, said police made a compliance visit to the defendant's registered address and were told by his father he hadn't been living there for about four months.

They traced to his partner's address in Warrington and she confirmed he had stayed there several times in recent months.

Ben Leech, defending, said his client was effectively still living at his father's address which was where all his clothes and belongings were.

"He was forced to move out through Covid19 issues," said Mr Leech.

"His father's partner had a lung complaint and was particularly vulnerable.

"He moved in with his uncle and when he had problems stayed with various other relatives and his girlfriend."

Mr Leech said his client conceded staying with his girlfriend as outlined in the charge.

"He moved around trying to protect others and there is no suggestion of any offending other than the breach," said Mr Leech.

"It has been a difficult period for everyone and initially my client thought, like many others, it would only be for a few weeks."