CONVICTED PAEDOPHILE OFFERED CUPBOARD ROOM FOR £10 PER NIGHT

Thomas Watton, a former X Factor contestant, offered a Harry Potter inspired cupboard in his home in Salford, aimed at guests above the age of 12.

It has since been revealed that he is a convicted paedophile who has signed the Sex Offender's Register.

Watton, a 'Facebook Famous' star was jailed in 2013 after he plead guilty in Grimsby to using his popularity to intimidate minors into having sex with him, he was given a 5 year sentence and ordered to sign the register.

Since his release he has moved the 115 miles to Salford where he has taken work as a waiter, he was exposed after Grimsby residents recognised him in an article on the MailOnline.

Watton who also goes by the name Thomas Starkey has also used the aliases of Tomm Watt and Tom Watts.

Grimsby Crown Court heard how the 20-year-old became popular on social networking sites after his appearance on an ITV reality show in 2011.

A court heard how the wannabe singer used his fame to commit sexual offences against eight boys who were just 12, 13, 14 and 15 at the time.

The Court also heard how he used the sites to contact eight boys who then became victims of his sexual offending between July 2011 and March 2013. 

In a statement to the MailOnline Watton said...

Quote

'I moved into the property in April and have not had any guests stay through Airbnb.

'The cupboard was posted as a small joke in jest with my current housemate the night before as we laughed at how clean and nice the space was under our stairs.

'The space was advertised for Solo Adventures (1 Person) and as statement on Airbnb terms and conditions:

'In order to use the Airbnb site and services, you must be 18 years or older. It's against our Terms of Service to create an account to travel or host unless you're at least 18 years old.

'Therefore, I would not be able to have anyone under the age of 18 staying at the property anyhow even if it was intended so (which again would have been against my prevention order). My settings also included it was not suitable for families and children. There is an extra safeguard for those under 12 too which was included.

'In relation to my offences committed in 2012 when I was 18 years old, I spent a two and a half year sentence incarcerated where I took as many courses as I could in order to understand and prevent further offending. 

'As I was a teenager myself, I was frightened by the whole court system and pleaded guilty to some offences that I didn’t commit in court to ensure that I didn’t affect the victims lives even more than I had already. 

'I live with the regret of committing these offences everyday and the victims never stray from my mind. Six years later, I have attempted to move on with my life as a young adult and find employment and find new friends so that I do not spend my life attached to the benefit system feeling sorry for myself.'