Sex Offender Banned From Having Girlfriend Without Telling Police First

Geoffrey Ball has a history of sexual assaults

A LOVE rat who conned dozens of women has been banned from having a girlfriend - unless he asks the permission of the police first.

The "draconian" order was considered the only way to deal with serial sex offender and trickster Geoffrey Ball, 44, who has a history of sex assaults as well as convictions for fraud, robbery and impersonating a police officer.

He uses aliases to keep his true identity secret and one victim even attempted suicide after he sexually assaulted her.

Now, just days ahead of his release from prison, he has been made the subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order banning him from having any relationship or friendship with a woman over 16 without notifying the police public protection unit.

He is also banned from internet dating or social network sites including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Tumblr.

District Judge Martin Walker made the order at Teesside JPs' court and said it was "draconian but necessary.".