A SEX offender breached his notification requirements by changing his name and using an alias on social media, without informing police.

Shane Liam Blackmore was jailed for four years at Newcastle Crown Court in 2014 for having a sexual encounter with a 14-year-old girl he groomed on social media, persuading her to visit his bedsit in Sunderland where the illicit activity took place.

As part of his sentence he was made subject of lifelong notification as a sex offender, including restrictions on internet use.

But because of his use of a foreshortened name, Shane Black, between August, 2017, and July, 2018, and adopting the name 'shaneskye' in an email address, between May and July, 2017, it put him in breach of the notification requirements.

Appearing at a Durham Crown Court plea hearing, the 29-year-old defendant, now living in west Wales, admitted two counts of failing to comply with requirements.

Recorder Chris Smith adjourned the case to allow for preparation of a pre-sentence report on Blackmore by the Probation Service.

He said the report should address the possibility of all sentencing options remaining open to the court.

Bailing Blackmore to return for the sentencing hearing on October 5, he reminded him he is still subject to the requirements.

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