A CONVICTED rapist failed to register his address with police after being released from a prison sentence imposed for another offence.

Blackburn magistrates heard that Tariq Shah had given an address in Manchester but when police went to check, his sister said he had been there on the day of his release and then disappeared.

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And the court was told he was found nearly a month later following a press appeal by Lancashire Constabulary’s Dangerous and Sexual Offenders’ Unit earlier this week.

Shah, 45, of Witton Parade, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to failing to comply with requirements of the sex offender register. He was jailed for six weeks.

Andy Robinson, prosecuting, said Shah had been convicted of rape in 2004 and sentenced to five years in prison and put on the sex offender register indefinitely. He said one of the conditions was that he registered his address annually and if he moved he had to notify the police within three days.

Shah was sentenced to six months in prison earlier in the year and was released on September 18.

“On his release he was given a copy of his notification requirements and he said he was going to stay with his sister in Manchester,” said Mr Robinson. “She said he turned up on the day he was released but she hadn’t seen him in the four weeks since.”

Jonathan Taylor, defending, said Shah had hoped to stay with his sister but there were problems and he left.

“Having left prison with only a small discharge grant it was impossible for him to get his own accommodation and he found himself sofa-surfing, relying on the hospitality of friends,” said Mr Taylor.

“He knows he should have kept the police informed of his circumstances.”