High-risk child sex offender Darren Albert Jolly admits breach of ESO

High-risk child sex offender Darren Albert Jolly has admitted his 15th breach of his prison release conditions.

A high-risk child sex offender who cut off his electronic monitoring tag and went on the run has today admitted breaching his release conditions for a 15th time.

Darren Albert Jolly, 51, was found on State Highway 1 near Pegasus township, 25km north of Christchurch, late on Monday night.

Tasman police had asked for the public's help to catch Jolly, whom they warned should not be approached, after he breached the conditions of his extended supervision order (ESO) and fled the region.

Jolly is subject to strict supervision conditions under a 10-year ESO after a prolific 30-year criminal history that includes more than 110 convictions for sex with underage girls, indecent sex acts, fraud, theft, assault and dangerous driving.

In the past five years, Jolly, whose 13 special release conditions ban him from computers and going near schools, parks and playgrounds, has breached the order 15 times.

Last year, after his staggering history was highlighted by the New Zealand Herald, there were calls for an urgent review of the legal system.

This week, Sensible Sentencing Trust criticised the Department of Corrections' management of him and question why Jolly was not subject to a public protection order (PPO).

Today he appeared from custody at Christchurch District Court.

He asked to represent himself and pleaded guilty to a charge of breaching his release conditions on Boxing Day in the Nelson area and removed his electronic monitoring device.

Jolly asked Judge Brian Callaghan to be sentenced today.

However, the judge refused to do so, instead calling for pre-sentence reports and remanding Jolly in custody for a sentencing on March 8 next year.