A REGISTERED sex offender caught with a mobile phone which he failed to tell police about has avoided jail despite breaching a suspended sentence.

Lloyd Turner was found in possession of the Samsung phone when his offender manager visited him at his Portland home in June last year.

Prosecutor Robert Griffiths told Bournemouth Crown Court that following enquiries, Turner was visited again in February when he was also found to have a USB stick, laptop and an iPod.

It breached an offence the 28-year-old was convicted of in July 2017 when he was handed a two-year suspended sentence and made the subject of a 10-year sexual harm prevention order (SHPO).

"When officers went to visit the defendant he offered his mobile phone to examine. On examination, the internet history only went back to June. [Turner] became agitated and said to the officers that 'they had got it in for him'," Mr Griffiths said.

The court heard that the call history on Turner's phone dated back further than the internet history.

Mr Griffiths said: "He was arrested for breaching his SHPO, for possessing an item and not notifying police officers and for deleting history of internet use."

Turner, who appeared in court on crutches, pleaded guilty to two counts of breaching his SHPO.

However, Judge Brian Forster QC opted not to activate the suspended sentence he had received over concerns that jail time would not be an effective punishment.

"If he is sent to prison he will only serve a short time and it won't make any difference," Judge Forster said.

Turner, of Castletown, Portland, was handed a two-year community order with a requirement for 25 days of work with rehab services. He was fined £150 plus an £85 victim surcharge and his SHPO was amended with a requirement that he must give police a date-stamped receipt if he purchases another internet enabled device.

Speaking to Turner, Judge Forster said: "You are a fool to yourself. You were given the clearest instruction and however it's dressed up the facts are not good.

"Concerns increase when you play these sorts of games with your offender manager. I have taken into account your circumstances, your guilty plea and limited explanations.

"I reserve any future breach of the order to myself."