Peter Adams 67

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A sex offender who called himself 'Cheery Pete' has been hauled back in front of a judge for breaching his notification requirements.

Peter Adams advertised his services as a "freelance gardener and masseuse" over WhatsApp without declaring his alias to the police. The 65-year-old also failed to notify the force about two credit cards.

The Saltburn man, who has committed a "catalogue of offences of a sexual nature", was rumbled by officers after checks were completed on his mobile phone. However, he denied failing to register the name 'Cheery Pete' with Cleveland Police on January 22, but was later found guilty after trial.

Adams appeared at Teesside Magistrates' Court on Wednesday to learn his fate following the preparation of a pre-sentence report. Adams, of Grosvenor Terrace, Carlin How, Saltburn, previously admitted breaching the terms of his sex offender notification requirements after failing to register a Tesco credit card on February 7 in Saltburn.

He also admitted failing to register a Post Office credit card in April 2016 in Leeds. Prosecutor Lynne Dalton outlined that Adams is a "registered sex offender" and has committed a "catalogue of offences of a sexual nature".

The Middlesbrough court heard how Adams was due for a review on January 22 and officers checked his mobile phone. Officers found Adams was "claiming work as a freelance gardener and masseuse" on WhatsApp. They found a profile under the name of 'Cheery Pete' which was not registered with the force.

Adams' financial status was also checked and officers found a Tesco credit card which also had not been declared. Ms Dalton added that it was an "active card at the time".

The court also heard how Adams had also not registered a Post Office credit card, which was also part of his notification requirements. However, this charge dates back to April 2016 which was a "long period of non-compliance" with the sex offenders register notification requirements.

Adams pleaded guilty to both of the credit card charges, however denied the WhatsApp alias. He was convicted in April.

Nick Ayres, mitigating, said there was "no evidence" that the card had been used "for a number of years". Addressing the WhatsApp crimes, he stated that Adams' name, telephone number and picture were displayed "for all to see".

He also added that Adams has been "offence free for 10 years" and became a "fully qualified landscape gardener" - earning up to 10,000 per year - "since his last custodial sentence".

The court heard how Adams is a "fully qualified masseuse". Mr Ayres outlined that Adams lives on a houseboat but also had a "renovation project" ongoing.

District Judge Stephen Hood stated that Adams breached the terms of his notification requirements on three separate occasions and there was a "risk of harm" from his WhatsApp alias.

Judge Hood also added that Adams has a "very bad record" and imposed custodial sentences for all breaches. Adams was sentenced to 32 weeks in custody, suspended for 18 months.

He must also complete 30 rehabilitation activity requirement days, an accredited project with the probation service for 35 days and a "trail monitoring" requirement for four months. Judge Hood said: "This is so probation can keep tabs on your and know where you are."

Adams must also pay 620 in costs and 128 victim surcharge. Judge Hood warned Adams that if he breaches his suspended sentence he can "expect to serve" his jail term.