A Wirral sex offender is back in jail after a game of street football with two young boys.

David Powell was hauled before the courts after failing to tell the children’s parents - who were watching on - that he was on the sex offenders’ register.

A judge today accepted there was no sinister motive to the kick-about but slammed Powell for making his tenth court appearance for breaching his Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO).

Powell joined in the half-hour match after passing the boys - aged two and four - playing in the street on August 6.

His then girlfriend watched the game along with the children’s parents, who had no idea of his past.

They became suspicious just three days later, when the dad spotted messages on Powell’s phone describing him as “a nonce”.

He checked the UK data base and found Powell, of Egerton Street in New Brighton, was a sex offender and he alerted the police.

When he was quizzed by police Powell disputed the accusation, saying “I didn’t do it” and claiming it was a malicious allegation.

But today the 32-year-old pleaded guilty to breaching the SOPO, which was imposed in 2007 for indecent exposure.

Liverpool Crown Court heard Powell had also breached the order back in February when social workers received a tip off about concerns over two young girls in Liscard. Powell had been living with their mother for about a year.

He was jailed for that offence and was on licence when he took part in the street football match.

Jailing him for 12 months Judge David Aubrey, QC, said it was the tenth time he had appeared in court for breaching the order or failing to meet the notification requirements.

He pointed out that Powell had no convictions for molesting children and there was no sinister reason why he was playing football with the boys, but he had to learn he must abide by the terms of the SOPO.

He said: “The provisions are there to protect children and you must learn that you must abide by the provisions placed within the sexual offence order.

“The offence is so serious only an immediate custodial sentence is justified.”

Ken Heckle, defending, said although Powell had not made admissions when arrested he had pleaded guilty.

He said: “He has to understand he cannot have a normal life regarding his every day.”

Mr Heckle added Powell had not instigated the game of football and had just joined in and there had been nothing suspicious about his behaviour.

His girlfriend had been aware of his status but since the incident they had split up and he had moved to his current address.