A REGISTERED sex offender could be jailed after obtaining a new passport and flying to Greece without telling the police.

Jack Royston Long admitted the two offences when he appeared before Furness Magistrates' Court.

Prosecutor Mr Lee Dacre explained: "The defendant was cautioned on November 28, last year. He was put on the Sex Offenders' Register for two years on December 2.

"He was registered at Barrow police station and had to give them his passport details. He told them he had lost it and was told if he replaced it he must let them know. He was visited at home by two police offender managers who gave him documents, which he signed, stating what he must do while of the register.

"On June 30 police received an alert to say the defendant had boarded a flight to Greece and would be returning on July 9. Border police informed them that he had returned and he was arrested on July 11.

Long, of Pennington Lane, Lindal, Ulverston, admitted two counts of failure to comply with notification requirements of the Sex Offenders' Register by failing to inform police he had a passport and not giving them seven days notice he intended to leave the country.

Defending himself, Long apologised and said he agreed with the prosecution's version of events.

He said: "The police did come but I lost the form they gave me. That's all I can say really. I'm sorry. If I had had Craig's number I would have called him and let him know. But, I didn't know how to get hold of him."

Magistrates ordered an all options report be prepared which would include custody.

Long asked what custody was and he was informed it meant he could go to prison for what is a "very, very serious offence."