A JUDGE has told a sex offender who tried to hide an electronic device from police that he is in the “last chance saloon”.

Christopher Mullard attempted to conceal his Amazon Kindle under a cushion when officers turned up unannounced at his home.

But he was rumbled when police found online receipts for the device – prompting Mullard to reveal its location.

Mullard appeared in court for breaching his sexual harm prevention order.

The 39-year-old was spared jail, but was told by a judge he was “probably on his last opportunity”.

Southampton Crown Court heard how Mullard was subject to unannounced home visits by police, as part of a sexual harm prevention order imposed in 2013 for downloading child abuse images.

Mullard admitted the breach.

Mitigating for Mullard, Christopher Gaiger asked Judge Gary Burrell QC to follow the recommendations of a report by probation and put Mullard on a course aimed to help sex offenders.

Mr Gaiger said the recommendations made would “benefit both him (Mullard) and society”.

Judge Burrell agreed and sentenced Mullard to a 24-month community order.

He said: “You have a problem and I know you know you have a problem.

“If you don’t address that problem... then you are going to end up in prison.

“And people like you are not liked in prison.

“You are in the last chance saloon as they would say in the old days.”

Mullard was ordered to complete a sex offenders course, 60 days of rehabilitation activity requirement and 80 hours of unpaid work.

Mullard, of Tresillian Gardens, West End, was also ordered to pay costs of £510.

A new sexual harm prevention order was imposed, for the same period as his previous order.