A paedophile ex-mayor changed his name and tried to return to politics despite abusing young boys in the past.
John Beirne, who was previously the mayor of St Helens, was convicted in 2017 for historic sex offences against a number of boys aged between eight and 12.
The 59-year-old was given a 16-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, after admitting the offences and made to sign the Sex Offenders Register.
Just two years later, in March 2019, while still subject to the conditions of the register, Beirne requested his name on the electoral roll be changed to John Blondel.
And in a brazen attempt to return to politics, later that month Beirne applied to run for election as an independent councillor in Wigan.
According to Greater Manchester Police, he signed his name as John Blondel to confirm he was not disqualified to run - despite his sentence barring him from standing as a councillor.
Council officials discovered his real name a short time later and contacted police to report him.
Beirne, of School Way, Pemberton, who had not contacted police to notify them of a name change, answered "no comment" when interviewed by officers.
A spokesperson for GMP confirmed that he was jailed for 16 months on Thursday as per his original sentence, a police spokesman said.
Detective Sergeant Rob Catmore said: "Had John Beirne continued to abide by the terms of his original sentence he could have avoided jail.
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"But with only a matter of months left to serve he took the decision to change his name and attempt to re-enter politics.
"I hope today's result sends a clear message to other offenders who think they can flout the terms of a suspended sentence.
"You might have avoided incarceration but you have still been found guilty of an offence and must abide by the clear terms and conditions imposed on you, or you will face further action."
