DETECTIVES hunting a serial rapist who disappeared less than six months after being released from a life sentence have found he may have left the city where he was living in a taxi.

North Yorkshire Police have warned members of the public not to approach Barry Gibson, who failed to comply with a condition of his prison release licence on May 6.

The 55-year-old, who was living in the Boroughbridge Road area of York, has been ordered back to prison.

It is believed Gibson, who was convicted almost 16 years ago of brutally raping and sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl he had spotted walking home from a nightclub in Scarborough, could still be in the region, where he has numerous links, including in the area north of Whitby.

Sentencing Gibson for that offence, Judge Paul Hoffman said the offence had been "the stuff of every woman's nightmares".

After the incident in April 2000, police launched a manhunt for Gibson, whom they described as "extremely dangerous".

Detectives said Gibson was last seen on Thursday, May 5, the day before he breached his court order, outside the taxi rank near York Minster.

He was last seen wearing dark trousers and a jacket, which is red on the top half and a dark colour on the lower half. He was carrying a JD Sports bag over his shoulder.

Police said anyone who spots Gibson should call 999 immediately.