A sex offender was brought before a court after he failed to notify police he had used a different name to join the gym.

David Novak, 48, used a different name to sign up at the gym but didn’t let police know within three days, as required by a sex offender’s notification requirement, Workington Magistrates’ Court heard.

Pamela Fee, prosecuting, said that Novak had joined Xtreme Fitness in Workington on March 11 under the name of David Novotny.

But Novak failed to notify police until April 29 during a meeting with officers, the court was told.

John Cooper, defending, said Novak had used his own name at two other gyms.

At the first, his contract was terminated and at the second, they had Googled his name and then refused him.

Mr Cooper said: “There’s no suggestion that he has done anything that is more of an issue in terms of the order.

“He has not told police in the appropriate time. If he had told them within three days, it would have been ok.”

Mr Cooper said the defendant hadn’t been interviewed by police until June and there had been “a lot of water under the bridge” since the offence had taken place.

Novak, of Wastwater Road, Whitehaven, pleaded guilty to failing to comply with the notification requirements of the sex offenders’ register.

The case was sent to Carlisle Crown Court for sentence. Novak was granted unconditional bail until his next court appearance on December 12.

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