THE row over the future of a notorious child sex offender due to be released from prison soon escalated today when a former neighbour warned: "He will do it again".

Father-of-three Shaun Mulcahy spoke out after it was revealed 64-year-old Bernard Snape was due to be released from prison in less than three weeks.

Snape, who lived across the hall from Mr Mulcahy in council flats in Parkwood Road, Blackburn, for more than four years, was jailed for four offences of indecent assault on children in 1997 and has confessed he still poses a threat to the community.

Mr Mulcahy, 43, agreed: "It's obvious to me that he will do it again and I believe he should be kept in a secure unit for the rest of his life.

"He has already scarred kids for life because that first memory of a sexual experience with him will remain with them always and I wouldn't want him to get anyone else." He added: "It was quite frightening living here when people started to realise what Snape was up to. I lived here with my elderly mother at the time and there are two pensioners who live upstairs."

Home Secretary and Blackburn MP Jack Straw has already pledged to look into the case after probation officers failed to find Snape anywhere suitable to go when he is released.

Snape was originally released on licence in August 1998 but was re-arrested after failing to conform with a condition of his licence that he reside where directed by the probation service.

Since then he has been kept under segregation at Preston Prison. When he is released he is free to go wherever he wants as long as he gives the police his address under the Sex Offenders Register but there is no ongoing support or supervision.

Mr Straw suggested a Sex Offender's Order under the Crime and Disorder Act may be one option as it would give police more power to keep track of him.

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