A CONVICTED sex offender who obtained a new credit card without informing police has been warned that he could be jailed if he commits any similar infringement.

William Hamilton, 60, pleaded guilty to a charge of failing to adhere to the notification requirements which come with being placed on the Sex Offenders Register.

Greenock Sheriff Court heard how sharp-eyed officers attended at Hamilton's home on a routine visit and saw paperwork in his living room relating to a Vanquis card.

Prosecutor Emma Jeffrey said: "They made enquiries and the accused admitted that he'd had the card for around one week without informing the police about it.

"When he was formally cautioned and charged he replied, 'I forgot'."

Hamilton, of Ravenscraig Court in Greenock, was caught committing the offence at around midday on May 2 last year whilst he was home alone, the court was told.

He pleaded guilty to failing without reasonable excuse to comply with the notification requirements contained with the Sexual Offences Act 2003.

Defence lawyer Aidan Gallagher said: "This was an oversight on his part. The card has subsequently been cancelled.

"He has been on a community payback order for quite a long period of time in relation to a matter, which was imposed on April 1 2015, and is just about to conclude.

"He has no other matters outstanding."

Sheriff Derek Hamilton fined Hamilton £275.

The sheriff told him: "These notification requirements are extremely important and you must comply with them.

"If there is any repeat of this you will find yourself in quite a bit of bother."