A SERIAL teenage sex offender who carried out a string of violent attacks on young girls and women has been jailed for 15 years.

And it was revealed Peter Cunliffe was on bail for another sex attack when he assaulted four victims in two weeks.

Cunliffe, 19, of Padiham, but of no fixed address, was yesterday caged after earlier pleading guilty to the attempted rape, sexual assault and abduction of a 14-year-old girl, and the attempted kidnap of a girl aged 12.

He also admitted trespass, an attempt to commit a sex offence, and another serious sexual assault on a woman.

He was told he would have to serve a minimum of seven-and-a-half years for the protection of the public and, on his release, would be banned from working with children for life.

A number of other allegations were left to lie on file.

Yvonne Traynor, chief executive of the Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre national helpline, slammed the decision to grant Cunliffe bail. She added: "I don't think sexual assaults are taken as seriously as they should be. The whole judicial system needs to be overhauled."

Detectives launched a major investigation following the attempted rape of the 14-year-old in the grounds of Habergham High School, Burnley.

Louise Whaites, prosecuting, told Preston Crown Court that, at 9pm on April 21 this year, Cunliffe followed the girl into the school grounds from Kiddrow Lane after she took a short-cut because he was following her. He then grabbed her from behind, pushed her to the floor and assaulted her. During the struggle the victim bit Cunliffe's hand, and he punched her in the face, giving her a bloody nose.

Earlier that day, at about 4pm, a 12-year-old girl was walking near woods in the school grounds when she was approached by Cunliffe, who grabbed her arm.

She was able to break free. Cunliffe also burst into a woman's home in Cog Lane, Burnley, on April 10, indecently exposing himself; and on April 20 he followed a 21-year-old woman after she got off a bus in Harold Avenue, Burnley, before indecently assaulting her.

Timothy Ashmole said his client had pleaded guilty and should be given credit for not putting his victims through the ordeal of giving evidence. He added he could not explain the reason for the spree, but said Cunliffe, who had convictions for minor thefts, had gone off the rails after his parents separated.