A SEX pest banned from back alleyways has been jailed after being spotted twice in ginnels.

Burnley Crown Court heard how Paul Holt, 43, had been prohibited from going on back streets by a restraining order, but was seen the very day he came out of jail.

Holt, who has a long record for sex offences against children and exposure, was jailed for 12 months.

The defendant, formerly of Lydia Street, Accrington, admitted breaching the order for the third time, last October 12 and 26, by frequenting back alleys. He had been on remand 119 days.

Judge Andrew Woolman told him his history was a depressing and he posed a perpetual risk of causing some harm and upset.

He said: "There were no direct victims on these occasions but the orders are there to protect people."

Tina Landale, prosecuting, said last October 12 Holt was released from jail for breaching the restraining order and was seen by a community support officer at about 10.30pm coming from an alley behind Charter Street.

Two weeks later, the defendant was seen coming out of a ginnel between Empress Street and Blackburn Road at about 10pm. He was fastening up his trousers and claimed he had been to urinate.

Kevin Donnelly, defending, said Holt had not committed any sexual offences by the breaches and no other party was involved.