A CHILD sex attacker who went on the run is back in jail thanks to an appeal spearheaded by the Evening Telegraph.

Ex-convict Paul Whiteley, 47, fled from an Accrington hostel in October, leading detectives to fear he may strike again.

He had just been released on licence from a two-year jail term for molesting a six-year-old girl and was on the Sex Offenders Register, meaning he must tell police where he is living.

He was caught two weeks later living in a £50 car after a local newspaper and television appeal urged people to be on the lookout.

Whiteley, from Leeds, admitted failing to comply with the requirements of the Sex Offences Act, six counts of driving while disqualified and with no insurance.

He was yesterday jailed for 17 months at Burnley Crown Court and banned from the roads for five years.

Stuart Duke, prosecuting, told the court Whiteley was put on the register for 10 years in October 2003 when he was convicted of indecently assaulting a girl of six.

He was released from Wymott prison, Leyland, on October 27 last year and, as part of his licence, had to live at Highfield House, Accrington.

But he absconded on his first night after a dispute.

Mr Duke said: "The Lancashire Evening Telegraph were spearheading a campaign to such an extent that witnesses recognised Paul Whiteley from reading the newspaper.

"He was eventually arrested in a cafe in Huddersfield on November 10 at 7.55am.

Mr Duke added that Whiteley admitted driving while banned but told police that as long as he had two hands and two feet he would continue to get behind the wheel.