A SERIAL sex fiend dubbed a danger to women is behind bars after terrifying two housewives in Rishton.

Paul Holt, 39, who has a record of sex offences going back to 1988, was on extended licence from jail after a two-and-a-half-year term for gross indecency with a child.

Burnley Crown Court heard that he exposed himself to the two shocked women near the town's railway station and "paraded himself" around the town with his shirt up before one of the victims' husbands alerted the police.

He was jailed for two more years, but was already back in jail after the three-year extended licence period was revoked following his latest "flashing" episode. He is not due to be released until November 2006 unless the case is reviewed by the Home Office and a judge ordered he must serve the new term on top of his unexpired sentence.

Recorder John Finestein told Holt, who has 16 previous convictions for sex offences, he was a risk to women and had an appalling record. The defendant, who had previous convictions for indecent exposure, gross indecency, indecent assault and conspiracy to outrage public decency, had caused fear in Rishton and his conduct had been very disturbing. The two years must be served consecutively to the revocation of the licence to reflect the seriousness of the offence, his persistent behaviour and to protect the public.

Holt, of St Peter's Street, Blackburn, had admitted breaching a restraining order and had been committed for sentence by Hyndburn magistrates.

Roger Green, prosecuting, said in October 2002 Holt was sent to jail for 30 months, placed on the Sex Offenders' Register and made subject of a restraining order for life. He was prohibited from exposing himself in public or being drunk. He was released on licence last September.