A sex offender cleared as a suspect in a 20-year unsolved murder has been jailed for breaching the terms of his licence.

Malcolm Shipley went missing from his registered address at his stepfather’s home in Gorse Avenue, Chatham, at the end of May and was discovered four weeks later hiding in his ex-girlfriend’s cellar.

Sentencing the 37-year-old to four months, a judge told him: “An aggravating feature is you have done this before.”

Shipley, who was once arrested over the disposal of prostitute Glenda Potter’s body, was jailed for 14 months for molesting a drunk teenager after he went to a Jools Holland concert at Rochester Castle in July 2009.

The girl, aged 19, had been to a nearby nightclub. Shipley, formerly of Arden Street, Gillingham, found her “drunk and distressed” because her ex-boyfriend had died.

He stroked her hair and bare leg and put his hand inside her underwear despite her protests. He stole her bracelet before fleeing.

Shipley was placed on the sex offenders’ register for 10 years, which required him to inform the police of a change of address.

Prosecutor Keith Yardy said at the latest hearing at Maidstone Crown Court that Shipley had previously gone missing from a bail hostel in the town and was later arrested in Brighton.

“I have had time to reflect in the last few weeks. I am sorry for bringing the law into disrepute” - Malcolm Shipley

His stepfather said he had told him to leave in May after they had an argument.

Mr Yardy said officers discovered Shipley was hiding in his ex-girlfriend’s cellar in Gillingham on June 28. She persuaded him to give himself up.

“The police were armed with Tasers but did not use them, “ said Mr Yardy.

Appearing without legal representation, Shipley told Judge Michael Carroll: “I am not going to call my father a liar. He did the right thing in phoning the authorities.

“I was heavily under drink because my dad’s got cancer. I started drinking and lost all meaning of thought. I didn’t understand the full implications of my actions.

“I have had time to reflect in the last few weeks. I am sorry for bringing the law into disrepute.”

The judge said: “The original offence was not the most serious but rules must be adhered to.”

Shipley had earlier spoken of his relief after receiving a letter from police clearing his name over the murder of 32-year-old Glenda Potter.

The mother-of-four’s body was found half-naked in the grounds of the United Reformed Church, now the Vines Church, in Crow Lane, Rochester. She was sexually assaulted and strangled in May 1991.

“Even my own mum had this tiny part of her that believed it was me, but when I got the letter I told her how relieved I felt,” he said.