A REGISTERED sex offender has had to move out of the county after breaching his restraining order by staying in the same property as a five-year-old girl on three occasions.

Alan John Woodward, 52, was living in Leominster when he breached clauses that forbid him from entering or staying in a property where a child was present.

Hereford Magistrates, who heard that no harm was caused to the child, were told last week that Woodward had started a new relationship with a mother and stayed at her property overnight along with her daughter during the Christmas period.

His partner eventually ended their relationship after finding details of his previous conviction on the internet.

Adrian Jones, prosecuting, said that Woodward refused to disclose his new partner's name to his offending manager.

"Woodward told his offending manager that he had made full disclosure to the woman and that she wanted to continue the relationship," said Mr Jones

"He was reminded of the terms of the order and consequences of a breach. He didn't give the manager the details of the lady the authority required to investigate further."

Authorities eventually established who she was and after subsequent enquiries found an address.

The woman said she had started a relationship with him in October and they had been at the early stages of a relationship.

"She said on three occasions he stayed with her and her home address when her daughter was present," added Mr Jones

"There was no suggestion he acted in an inappropriate manner. She carried out a Google search and found details about him and finished with him when she found the true situation.

"In interview the only explanation that he put forward is that he was head over heels in love with the lady in question.

Gavin McKenzie, mitigating said that the breach of the order was the only wrong doing in this case.

He said: "The order was imposed a few months short of eight years ago and there was no question of a breach or suspicious activity before this.

"This wouldn't be an offence for somebody else and there was no wrong behaviour.

"He admitted that in the police station and was completely open as he knew that way the lady would have to give evidence.

"After the original order was imposed he took a long hard look at himself and he doesn't believe he is a danger anymore to children.

"The relationship started at her invitation to a birthday party after they met in a pub.

"The child would go away for the weekend or go on trips with her father. He tried to make sure he only visited on those occasions.

"The order requires him to make full disclosure but he made the best he could of the circumstance.

"He accepts he didn't give her the full information. He is very upset to lose somebody he treasured highly, he has moved away to another part of the country and is starting a new life for himself there.

"He has already suffered as he has had to give up his home, work and friends in Leominster.

"There was no harm whatsoever to the child."

Magistrates ordered Woodward to pay a £265 fine, £30 victim surcharge and £185 costs.