A 16-year-old sex offender who was bailed by a court after admitting sexually attacking a young woman went on to beat and rape a mother-of-one.

Today, his victims said Michael Hudson should never have been freed to continue his reign of terror.

He was only 15 when he grabbed a 31-year-old woman and indecently assaulted her in a dark street in West Auckland, County Durham.

Hudson pleaded guilty to the attack but was released by Durham Crown Court on bail and two months later carried out the rape, in May 2004. Days later, police arrested and charged the wrong man with rape but finally apprehended the real culprit in February after DNA linked Hudson to the crime.

In the meantime, after being spared jail for the indecent assault, the teenager went on to commit a string of offences including having sex with a girl of 13, assaulting a 14-year-old female, carrying a carving knife and escaping police custody.

Sentencing Hudson, Judge Peter Fox, said: "I judge you presently and for the foreseeable future to be a grave danger to women.

"You were merciless yet today you ask for mercy. I am handing you the juvenile equivalent of life imprisonment.

"You are to be detained at Her Majesty's Pleasure.

Hudson, who had been ordered to be placed on the sex offenders register in October, must serve six years before he can be considered for parole.

Judge Fox agreed to lift an order banning the rapist's identity after representation by The Northern Echo.

The court heard how Hudson pounced on the mother-of-one as she walked home from the Masons pub, in Shildon, County Durham, on May 16 last year.

Then aged 16, he grabbed the terrified woman by the throat and dragged her from Redworth Road before punching her repeatedly in the face and then carrying out a violent rape.

Peter Makepeace, prosecuting, said: She was not conscious at any stage of being followed however as she reached a bus stop this defendant came out from the shadows and into her path.

"He then moved around her and grabbed her from behind by the throat."

"The complaint describes herself as being in a complete panic. She began screaming and shouting for help. The defendant was placing his hand over her mouth.

"As she was being dragged down a pathway he repeatedly punched her in the face.

"He said to her: 'I am going to kill you'."

The petrified victim begged him to leave her alone and told him about her five-year-old son in an attempt to interrupt the rape. She continued screaming and attempted to break free but Hudson pushed her into bushes at the rear of Harrison Close, Shildon, tore off her jeans and underwear and raped her.

After the attack, he told his victim to stay in the bushes before walking off.

The woman ran for help to a nearby house and the police were called.

Days after the attack, Paul Race, 24, of Coronation Avenue, Shildon, was charged with the rape. He was later cleared of any involvement in September last year after DNA revealed he was not the rapist.

Teesside Crown Court heard Hudson had been arrested on suspicion of rape in August but he denied the offence and was bailed.

He was only charged with rape and assault in February this year, after saliva taken from the victim's t-shirt was matched to him.

Mr Makepeace said DNA taken from the fingernails of the indecent assault victim, following the attack in October 2003, also matched Hudson and led to his arrest for that offence.

Rod Hunt, defending, said the defendant, of George Street, Shildon, was a puzzle, of limited intelligence and an unusual young man.

Det Sgt Jim Cunningham, of Durham Police, said: "It was a horrific rape. Hopefully he will be out of circulation for such a long time that women will feel safe."

Read the full story in The Northern Echo on Saturday