Raping a boy under the age of 16.

A child rapist handed himself in to police just days after being released from prison, citing a lack of safety on the streets of Derby.

Derby Crown Court heard how Christopher Sweeney, a 41-year-old father of five, repeatedly commits this act to be returned to prison, where he has spent most of the past two decades. His sentencing hearing revealed that he "feels forgotten about by society," a sentiment that was met with a judge's reminder that Sweeney needs to actively seek available help.

This recent arrest marked Sweeney's 16th breach of the sex offender register's terms. When he instructed police to apprehend him earlier this year, he was released from his previous sentence.

Jailing him for 18 months, Recorder Justin Wigoder stated, "A long time ago now, back in 2003, you were convicted of a serious offense, were sent to prison and was placed on the sex offender register for life. It was thought you posed a risk and so it was important the authorities should know where you lived. Effectively since then, and particularly in recent times, you have quite deliberately flouted that requirement and every time you do it, you get sent back to prison and the sentences, unsurprisingly, tend to get longer and longer. You got released from that last sentence and you quite deliberately did not tell anyone an address and equally quite deliberately, went to the police station and told them to arrest you. There are people that will help you but you have to want to seek help, otherwise you will keep going back to prison for longer and longer because you deliberately flout a court order. It is up to you, you can try to seek help, move away from the area, somewhere you are not concerned about showing your face. Otherwise your future is going to look very bleak."

Sweeney was initially sentenced in 2003 for raping a boy under the age of 16. As part of the sex offender register, he is required to inform police of his living location within three days of being released from any prison term.

Caroline Sellars, prosecuting the case, revealed that Sweeney was released from prison on January 24 of this year. Five days later, he went to St Mary's Wharf police station, engaging in disruptive behavior by throwing stones at the windows and kicking shutters, explicitly requesting arrest. The officers obliged.

Sweeney, formerly of Burton Road, Derby and currently of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to his 16th violation of the notification requirements.

Samuel Lowne, representing Sweeney, argued that his client has five sons with whom he has "little contact" and that Sweeney turned to alcohol in his teenage years after witnessing his grandfather's death from a heart attack. He stated, "He tells me he does not feel safe outside prison and that ultimately he feels forgotten about by society. He gets released, finds himself homeless and feels like he des not get any help. He says his face is plastered across the newspapers and he does not feel safe, particularly in Derby. He wants to move away from the area and get on with the rest of his life."

Recorder Wigoder responded by emphasizing that "There is assistance for him to find accommodation on release. The facilities are there, he just does not take advantage of them."