A Dubbo sex offender's failure to report to police has landed him back behind bars.
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Dallas Clark pleaded guilty to a charge of failing to comply with reporting obligations when he appeared in Dubbo Local Court on Wednesday.
The 23-year-old man was convicted of the same offence in Cobar Local Court in August 2019 and was serving a community-based prison term, in the form of an Intensive Corrections Order (ICO), when he failed to report a second time.
Clark is on a register that forces him to report to police every year and court documents reveal police reminded him in September 2019 that he had to report to them in November - but he never did.
"Oh I forgot...I didn't know I had to...probation and parole have me doing so many things," Clark told sex crimes police who arrested him in December.
In court solicitor Miranda Cooper said Clark demonstrated he had an ability to comply with court orders because he never breached bail conditions imposed after his latest arrest.
"Sending my client to jail will not help community safety," Ms Cooper said as she highlighted research which found jail sentences of less than two years were not as effective as pro-social activities when it came to dealing with offenders like Clark.
Clark lived with untreated mental illness, had enrolled to study at TAFE and set an alarm which would remind him to report, Ms Cooper told the court.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Edward Knight said Clark's criminal record was one which showed a "continual defiance" of court orders.
Sergeant Knight told the court Clark previously breached conditions of good behaviour bonds, apprehended violence and community service orders.
"This is a young man who knew very well what he was required to do," Sergeant Knight said.
Magistrate Gary Wilson agreed and said he could not accept Clark was unaware of the reporting obligations.
"You were told in person by police...it was stressed to you that you had to report," magistrate Wilson told Clark, who was supported by his father in court.
"You were before me in August last year for exactly the same offence... you haven't complied with the conditions of the ICO.
"Your ability to comply...has been poor to say the least."
Magistrate Wilson convicted Clark and imposed a fixed sentence of four months in jail.
Clark will be eligible for release on May 21.