Wesham sex offender was housing two missing children in his flat

The youngsters, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, were found together in Andrew Burrows' flat with no clothes on, Preston Crown Court was told.

Both children appeared under the influence of drugs and both admitted smoking cannabis

Prosecutors said the boy and the girl had been reported missing from home and police were investigating suggestions they were at the defendant's flat on Station Road, Wesham, near Preston.

Burrows, 21, is subject to a sexual harm prevention order as a result of offences in Cheshire, which means he must inform parents of under 16s whom he is present with about his convictions, and get their consent to be in their company.

Police attended Burrow's flat on September 30 and his girlfriend allowed them entry.

The defendant directed them to the bedroom where both youngsters were present.

His girlfriend told officers the boy had been staying at the address for two days and the girl had been there overnight. Their parents did not know their location and had not consented to their presence.

In a police interview Burrows said the children had 'lied' about their age and stated he had "better things to do than memorise the terms of his order", which he has now breached five times.

Burrows, who appeared by video link at Preston Crown Court, admits two counts of breaching the order.

He sobbed as defending, Sharon Watson said he had a chaotic lifestyle and a traumatic childhood, and suffered various mental health issues.

She added: " The address is a shared tenancy between him and his partner so she has equal rights in that home.

"The children attending was beyond his control, they entered originally without his knowledge. He became aware of their presence but had no idea they were missing in action, and that they didn't have permission to be there. "

Judge Beverly Lunt replied: "I'm afraid he has to leave and that's it. He knows that now.

"It's got to be a prison sentence, I can't do anything else."

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