A MAN who was on the sex offender register went to Amsterdam for five days without informing the authorities.

Blackburn magistrates heard Sajid Wasieem Hassan had been repeatedly refused permission to leave the country since he started asking in 2016 and the latest refusal was in November.

Hassan, 50, of Wensley Road, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to failing to comply with notification requirements. He was made subject to a curfew for six weeks between 9pm and 6am and ordered to pay £85 costs.

Catherine Allan, prosecuting, said Hassan had been put on the register in 2012. He left the country without informing the police sex offender unit or his supervising probation officer.

“It would appear he has been asking to leave the country since 2016 but has always been refused permission,” said Miss Allan.

“He had that same conversation with his probation officer in November and was again refused permission.

“He was arrested by Border Control on December 10 after spending five nights in Amsterdam.”

Gareth Price, defending, said Hassan had been encouraged by his brother to travel with him to Amsterdam.

“His brother had been quoted 17,000 Euros to do some work on a house in Amsterdam which he had bought for his children,” said Mr Price. He decided to do the work himself and asked his brother to help.

“My client says he was working from dawn to dusk and then he returned to the UK.”