A MAN who breached a sexual harm prevention order for the fifth time by being in Bournemouth town centre has been warned any further breaches will end with him being put behind bars.

Jason Noel Burt has been subject to the indefinite court order since October 2018.

It had been sought by police as officers were "concerned about him approaching vulnerable drunk persons at night".

Bournemouth Crown Court heard previous breaches took place in 2018 and 2019.

Prosecuting, Sadie Rizzo said one of these offences involved the defendant being seen with three drunk women late at night in Exeter Road.

Burt, 47 and of Luckham Close, Bournemouth, was before the courts on December 23, having previously pleaded guilty to the fifth breach on October 31, as well as possession of 0.5 grams of cannabis.

Ms Rizzo said two police officers saw the defendant walk past the Anvil in Holdenhurst Road and one of the officers knew of the sexual harm prevention order which prohibited Burt from being in the area.

The court heard PC Joel Brooks observed Burt walking along Holdenhurst Road and loitering outside nightclub.

The offender, who was wearing a high-vis tabard, was seen stood outside the Old Fire Station nightclub looking at the smoking area.

"He looked as if he was there in an official capacity," said Ms Rizzo. "He was outside that club and looking very similar to other security there. He was said to be staring at other clubgoers."

The defendant was then seen going towards the travel interchange before stopping outside Sound Circus where he "engaged with revellers".

He was stopped by officers at Tesco Express in Holdenhurst Road.

In relation to what led officers to apply for the sexual harm prevention order order in 2018, Ms Rizzo said: "Police had concerns about Mr Burt following his conviction of a sexual offence in 2007. The order in 2018 was sought by police because the police were concerned about him approaching vulnerable drunk persons at night."

Mitigating, Timothy Compton said Burt had learning difficulties.

The barrister said his personal circumstances, which involve a difficulty in processing information, meant he was vulnerable.

Mr Compton said the defendant was deemed to have a low risk of reoffending and a low risk of causing serious harm to adults.

"Sending Mr Burt to prison would not only be pointless, it would be actively detrimental," Mr Compton said.

Sentencing judge Recorder Paul Garlick QC said he initially came to the conclusion Burt should be sent to prison but he had been persuaded by the pre-sentence report and Mr Compton's submissions.

Recorder Garlick QC said the interests of justice would best be served by imposing a long community-based order with stringent conditions.

Burt received a 30-month community order, with a requirement to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work, to complete an accredited sex offender programme and take part in up to 40 days of rehabilitation activity.

The judge told the defendant: "If you are found within Bournemouth town centre, you will be arrested and there is no question, you will go to prison."

Burt was fined £50 for the possession of cannabis.