A SEX offender who evaded police checks on his location was arrested with a knife in York, more than 40 miles from his last-known address, the city’s magistrates heard.

It was the second time Ian Longbottom, 45, had failed to comply with the sex offenders’ register.

He pleaded with the bench to lock him up because he thought it was the only way he could get the help he needed. Magistrates jailed him for 20 weeks.

Longbottom, no fixed address, pleaded guilty to failure to notify police of where he was living between May 3 and May 17 and carrying a knife in public in North Street, York, on May 16.

Magistrates heard police believed he was living in Tennyson Avenue, Scarborough. Longbottom had a previous conviction for failing to notify police of his address.

Steve Munro, mitigating, said Longbottom could not tell the police where he lived because he was homeless. He was on his way to Leeds when he was arrested and had no intention to use his knife.

Longbottom had a long-standing alcohol problem which had led to him committing offences.

“He feels the only place he could sort his life out and get the help he needs is in a custodial environment,” said Mr Munro.