A sex offender has been forced to relocate from Stoke-on-Trent after his past convictions came to light.

Warren Potts, 52, has moved to Cambridgeshire following community backlash over his previous imprisonment for serious sexual offenses. In 2011, Potts was sentenced to 15 years in prison for a string of these crimes.

Potts' relocation was prompted by his failure to comply with the notification requirements of the Sex Offenders Register. He did not inform police of a holiday to Spain nor register his new passport within three days of receiving it.

At North Staffordshire Justice Centre, Potts pleaded guilty to two charges related to these breaches. He was sentenced to an 18-month community order, including 25 days of rehabilitation activities and a £249 court bill.

"The information was checked with passport officers and he was issued with a passport on July 18," said Prosecutor Suzanne Swindail. "On September 13 he travelled to Alicante from Birmingham. He had not registered his passport within three days of receiving it. He had not notified the police of travel. He must notify them at least seven days before leaving the country."

Potts' defense attorney, Karen Wright, stated that Potts and his partner, who are planning to marry next month, traveled to Spain for his birthday. Miss Wright added that Potts cares for his partner and that their move to Cambridgeshire was met with harassment from neighbors after information about Potts' past emerged.