IN THE year 2000, just before Paul Robson was to be jailed for the second time, people living in Oxford demanded to know why he had been allowed back into their community.

Serial offender Robson, then 35, appeared before Oxford Crown Court to be sentenced for the sickening sex attack which he had committed while he was out on licence from a five-year jail term.

The pervert already had a long history of attacks on women and children. He chose his last victim after crawling into her Oxford City Centre home through a cat flap.

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Robson subjected the terrified 23-year-old into a series of attacks after putting a pillowcase over her head.

He had earlier fled his bail hostel in Abingdon Road after a punch-up with another offender at the home.

After carrying out the attacks, Robson ran away from his sobbing victim, sparking a major manhunt at the time and becoming Britain’s most wanted man.

Extra police were brought in and there were warnings he could strike again as forces throughout the country were put on alert. Officers caught him 48 hours later on a canal path between Oxford and Banbury.

Paedophile Robson's criminal record should have ensured he was never out from behind bars again. Each time he has been released from prison he has carried out more assaults.

His attack in 2000 was described as one of the most serious in Oxford in recent years. He pleaded guilty to two charges of attempted rape and two of indecent assault.

At the time, people living near the Abingdon Road hostel demanded to know why he was allowed into their community.

But the probation service refused to comment on residents' worries before the hearing. Child abductor and sex offender Paul Robson lived almost next door to a park and open-air swimming pool used by hundreds of youngsters every week.

Hinksey Park is only a 30-second stroll from the Abingdon Road bail hostel.

People living nearby were left horrified by the attack Robson carried out and even more shocked that someone with his record could be so close to their children.

But it is not the first time the probation service building has been under attack.

In 1997, people demanded action after a convicted sex offender living there kidnapped and sexually assaulted a 17-year-old girl, and a paedophile living there at the time attacked children. Neighbours now want assurances that dangerous sex offenders especially those likely to strike again will not be housed there.

Daniela Shirley, who runs the Lakeside Guest House on Abingdon Road, said she feared for the safety of her family.

She said: "We don't want people like that on our doorstep. I've seen the recent campaigns against paedophiles and I'm all for it if it stops them living near us.

"Some people had to remove their children from the pool one day because someone from the hostel was staring at them."

Noreen Singh, 40, who lives with her husband Timon in Edith Road, said: "We have two young daughters and we were all left petrified after the attack.'' Mr Singh added: "The Sarah Payne tragedy has really brought this home to us all. A bail hostel like the one here should not be used to house dangerous sex offenders.''

Pensioners Wendy and Bob Rich, also of Edith Road, have had to put broken glass and barbed wire on a wall to stop people climbing over.

Mrs Rich, 67, said: "I know they have to put these people somewhere, but it should be in a secure place not in the middle of a residential area such as this."

Her neighbour Cynthia Bayliss, 65, added: "I don't let my grandchildren out unsupervised now. I just don't think it's safe."