A DANGEROUS sex beast who subjected his middle-aged victim to a terror attack has been sentenced to life in prison.

Burnley Crown Court heard Ian Black, 39, had previously attacked women in the street and appeared to enjoy his reputation as a "monster."

The court was told that experts fear could strike again and that he could actually spend the rest of his days behind bars.

Black, who was still naked when he was arrested in the street after he pounced at the woman's home in Nelson, must serve at least five years and two months in prison before the parole board considers whether or not he still poses a danger to women and children.

The defendant, who at the time of the offence living in Nelson, admitted rape, last October.

Sentencing him, Judge Raymond Bennett said he had no alternative but to pass the life term and added that if the defendant was ever freed, he would spend the rest of his life on the Sex Offenders' Register.

He said Black had been released from an eight year prison term for indecent assaults the day before the attack on the 56 year old woman and a leading psychiatrist had reported that he could not say when Black would be safe to be allowed back into the community, there was no solution which would reduce the risk of reoffending, and he feared another woman would be seriously assaulted -- if not worse.

Judge Bennett said Black had told experts he felt feelings erupting which took control over him and medics belived he suffered an anti-social personality disorder, tended to blame others for his situation and was probably psychopathic.

The judge said the only good thing which could be said about Black was that he had spared the victim the pain and anxiety of going into the witness box, but he had subjected her to some dreadful indignities. He added it was felt the defendant appeared to enjoy being considered dangerous and used the fact he was thought of as a monster as a way of avoiding responsibility. He said Black had not shown any remorse.

Rowena Goode, prosecuting, said on the day before the attack, Black had been released from the eight year jail term, imposed at Burnley Crown Court. The victim awoke at 11.15pm to find Black entering her room and putting the light on. He told the victim he wanted sex and pinned her to the bed.

He pulled the woman's hair back, told her he was going to break her neck, that he had killed people with his fists and could kill her with one blow.

The woman tried to scream for help but Black threatened her and carried out a series of sex acts and raped her.

She managed to escape and raise the alarm and Black was arrested shortly afterwards, still naked.

Miss Goode said the victim was left injured and extremely traumatised by her ordeal and could no longer sleep in the room where it happened. When Black was interviewed, he said he the woman had consented to the vast majority of the sex acts and had enjoyed some of them.

John Jackson, defending, said Black was disgusted by what he had done and told a doctor he was not right in mind or body.