A convicted paedophile who breached his sexual offences prevention order by offering a boy a slice of pizza has been given a hospital order.

Lee Bamford, of Dagnell Park, Selhurst, failed to appear in the dock at Croydon Magistrates Court after refusing to leave his cell.

Mr Bamford, 21, was given the order last year after trying to secure jobs at two funfairs in Crystal Palace and Purley.

He was cautioned for the rape of a six-year-old boy when he was 14-years-old, but the Crown Prosecution Service decided not to take the case to a full trial because of the age of Bamford and his victim.

The court heard Mr Bamford was recognised by an off-duty police community support officer, entering a supermarket on September 17.

The PCSO was chaperoning five youngsters who were raising money for charity. She watched as Mr Bamford, carrying a pizza box, approached one of them, aged 15.

When asked about the exchange, the teen said Mr Bamford had offered him a slice of pizza.

The PCSO reported the incident the following Monday and Mr Bamford was arrested by appointment at Croydon Police station.

In a separate incident on July 26, Mr Bamford was arrested for exposing himself at a bus stop on Loampit Vale, Lewisham.

A grandmother accompanied by her daughter, daughter’s boyfriend and grandson, noticed Mr Bamford, wearing a bright orange polo shirt, was exposing his genitals and masturbating.

The court heard the woman’s daughter shouted out: “What do you think you’re doing? I have got my son here,” at which point he stopped and police were called.

Magistrates said they would make a hospital order so Mr Bamford could get the treatment he needs.

Mr Bamford, who is currently in custody in Highdown Prison, Sutton, will be transferred to Bethlem Royal Hospital to begin receiving treatment.