A child sex offender spared jail after being exposed by online paedophile hunters now faces a spell behind bars for breaching a strict court order.
Dean Jordan, from Canterbury, narrowly avoided prison in September following his conviction for sexual communication with a child.
The homeless 32-year-old walked free after a judge suspended a 12-month jail sentence for two years and placed him on the sex offenders’ register for 10 years.
Those on the register must provide police with personal details including their name, address, date of birth, and bank and passport information within three days of conviction or release.
But Jordan soon found himself back in the dock after failing to comply with the conditions and being caught with drugs.
Homeless offenders are subject to stricter rules and must report to a designated police station every seven days and provide details of a specific location where they can regularly be found.
Despite this, Jordan failed to do so on two occasions – once in October and again on Boxing Day.
When he was later arrested over the breaches, officers also found a small quantity of amphetamine on him.
Jordan, of no fixed address, admitted two counts of failing to comply with the notification requirements of the sex offenders’ register and possession of a class B drug when he appeared before magistrates in Margate on December 31.
Scott Neilson, defending, told the court that before Jordan was sentenced in September, he had been remanded in prison for four months.
“He got released and had nowhere to stay as his family disowned him,” he said.
“He’s had a real mental health struggle, and he’s street homeless.”
The court heard that as a result of his struggles while sleeping rough, Jordan had begun taking amphetamines to cope, leading to problems with drug use.
Magistrates were also told he was willing to work with probation services and the Forward Trust, which supports people with drug and alcohol problems.
Mr Neilson added: “He was low and depressed over the Christmas period, and he contacted his family but was rebuffed, but he does have some mental health issues.
“He’s feeling better now, and he was open with the police that he wants support.”
Because the suspended sentence was imposed by a judge at the crown court, magistrates sent the case back to Canterbury Crown Court, where he will learn his fate on a date yet to be set.
Jordan, who gave a care-of address in Station Road East, Canterbury, was granted bail.
