A 29-year-old has evaded a jail term after a "deliberate act" of failing to stick to the terms of the sex offender register.

Lee Michael Deelay was given a nine-week suspended sentence and electronically tagged for seven weeks.

The defendant, of Middle Hill, Barrow, appeared before Furness Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, also charged with being drunk and disorderly on April 23.

Prosecutor Andrew Travis said: "I'll deal with the drunk and disorderly first. It was 7.23pm and police were called after reports of a male acting aggressively towards his ex-partner in Kirstall Road, Barrow. He was seen stumbling into the road and swore at police officers saying he had done nothing wrong. He continued to swear and asked them if they knew how strong he was. There were people around witnessing all this, including children. He was continually asked to calm down but continued being aggressive and swearing. He said he would knock police down and was clenching his fists and his teeth were gritted so he was arrested."

Mr Travis explained that the breach came about as in the terms of his sentence for two counts of sexual assault in 2009. He was jailed for 12 months and put on the register for 10 years and must attend the police station annually.

He added: "On December 11 Detective Constable Craig Wakefield texted him to remind him to come in on the most recent number he had. He then texted him on two other numbers and three home visits were made but he never came in.

"He was eventually seen by a police officer and told he was in breach of his notification and he said he hadn't realised he had to."

Delay admitted failing to comply with notification requirements of the sex offender register between December 14, 2015 and January 14. He was due to make a periodic notification at a police station 12 months after his previous notification but failed to do so.

He also pleaded guilty to being drunk and disorderly in Barrow, on April 23.

Trystan Roberts, defending, said: "He is really disappointed with his actions on that day. He had had an argument with his ex and she was shouting at him and people were laughing and jeering at him in the street. 

"He has always complied with the terms over the years and this was the first time he hasn't. He had had a bad 12 months. He has suffered significantly with epilepsy and alcohol misuse has exacerbated that. He also had a head injury which has caused seizures and he has been taken to hospital several time after being found collapsed in the street."

Presiding magistrate Jenny Farmer said: "We are satisfied that this was a deliberate act because over the years there has been regular compliance."

He was given a nine-week jail term suspended for 12 months and put under a curfew between 5pm and 5am for seven weeks.

He must also pay a victim surcharge of £8, and was fined £40 for being drunk and disorderly.