A SEX offender who was three days late to his annual check in with the the police has appeared in court charged with breaching his order.

Jeffrey Longhurst, 73, of Broadsmith Avenue, East Cowes, pleaded guilty to one count of breaching his sexual harm prevention order when he appeared at the Isle of Wight Magistrates' Court on Friday.

The court heard how Longhurst has been suffering a myriad of health issues that had prevented him from registering at the Newport Police Station by February 15 last year.

Vivian Ducie, prosecuting, said: "Mr Longhurst was convicted in 2015 and as a result finds himself on a ten-year sexual harm prevention order, he also received a 22-month sentence that was suspended for two years.

"He simply didn't go to the police station to register with them as he is required to do periodically."

Defending Longhurst, Oscar Vincent said: "He has a record of extremely good compliance with his order right up until this date and he complied fully with the terms of his suspended sentence.

"Mr Longhurst is someone who does not enjoy the best of health. He has a bone degeneration disorder as well as having lost a kidney to cancer.

"He suffers with memory issues as a result of his Parkinson's disease, which led to him being unable to recall when he had to register with the police."

The magistrates chose to give Longhurst a 12-month conditional discharge.