A rapist with an “inherent hatred” of prostitutes has been given a lengthy prison sentence to protect the public from harm.

Shortly after raping a 29-year-old in the grounds of Burnley College, Anthony Shaw, 21, insisted he had done nothing wrong, Preston Crown Court heard.

Shaw had previously tricked another prostitute into following him into a back alley, claiming he wanted sex, only to produce a broken bottle as part of a planned mugging, the court was told.

During both attacks Shaw threatened to either “slit the throats” or “kill” his victims if they tried to scream for help.

Shaw, of Hart Street, Burnley, admitted attempted robbery of one woman and the robbery of a second.

He denied raping the second woman, on August 18 last year, but was convicted at an earlier trial at Burnley Crown Court.

The judge imposed an indefinite sentence on Shaw, with the recommendation he serve the equivalent of a 14-year term, less 305 days spent on remand, before being considered for parole.

Jonathan Oultram, prosecuting, said Shaw approached the first woman for sex in Colne Road, Burnley, on July 11, 2008.

She had misgivings but followed him to a rear alleyway and a back yard, where he grabbed hold of her and produced a broken bottle, demanding property.

But she fought back, forcing him to the floor where she kicked him repeatedly before he fled, said Mr Oultram.

Then in August a 29-year-old Burnley woman approached Shaw, offering sex, in Ormerod Road.

He initially refused but later that night agreed to pay for her services.

But when the pair agreed on a £20 fee, Shaw brandished a claw hammer at her and said: “If you scream I will hurt you.”

He raped her on some wasteland, near the college, until the pair were disturbed by noises nearby, the court heard.

Bernadette Baxter, defending, said Shaw still insisted sex was consensual but had expressed remorse for the attempted robbery and robbery offences.

He was still a young man and it was hoped he could take advantage of sex offender programmes in custody to reduce the level of risk he admittedly posed to the community, she added.

Passing sentence, Judge Slinger said Shaw’s case was “worrying” as he displayed an “inherent hatred” of prostitutes. “Each of your victims was a working prostitute. That is no excuse.” he added.

Shaw was also placed on the sex offenders’ register for life and given an indefinite sexual offences prevention order, banning him from trying to elicit sexual favours from street workers in future.