AN ELDERLY traveller has been jailed just over two weeks after he was released from prison.

John Munnelly, 70, pleaded guilty today to not registering with police between May 14 and 29 to meet the terms of his place on the sexual register.

Munnelly, of no fixed abode, had been jailed in 2003 for a sexual assault against a teenage girl. He must remain on the register until 2010.

Prosecuting Derek Walton told Newton Aycliffe Magistrates Court that Munnelly had been released from Durham Jail on May 14.

He first went to Darlington, before moving to Startforth and then Barnard Castle.

He was making his way to Appleby.

Mitigating, Bruce Cunningham said he had been homeless for most of his adult life.

He had been sleeping on a park bench in Barnard Castle but had not registered it with police.

He said: "All that is required is to go to the police and let them know he is there until he goes on to the next place.

"I am not sure he is able to do that simple administrative matter."

Munnelly was jailed for four weeks.