Serial rapist Graham Rankine has had his sentencing adjourned after a judge asked for more details about the sex offender's past.

Rankine, 41, of Balfour Road, Blackbird Leys, Oxford, is facing a lengthy prison term after admitting attempted rape, robbery and wounding on a young woman in the centre of Oxford in August last year. He was arrested after a passer-by intervened.

The judge, Mr Justice Kennedy, put off sentence so a detailed psychiatric report could be completed about the former Oxford Harlequins' rugby star. Rankine, who has raped five women since 1977, is facing a life sentence for the latest attack because of his past record.

Oxford Crown Court heard yesterday that Rankine was 18 when he first came to the attention of the police. In 1976, he was charged with unlawful sexual intercourse after forcing himself on a 13-year-old girl. Released on bail, and while awaiting sentence, he raped a 16-year-old girl after meeting her in a pub. Once again, he was released on bail and this time raped a 17-year-old girl. He was sent to borstal for six months.

He raped his fourth victim, a teenage girl in Southampton, in 1984. Magistrates ruled he should be detained in custody until trial but a judge, Mr Justice Hobhouse, granted an application for bail, despite strong objections from police.

Rankine, also an amateur boxer, struck again for a fifth time and was jailed for life after a trial at Winchester Crown Court.

Four years ago he was allowed out of prison on licence and got a flat in Balfour Road, Blackbird Leys. He found a girlfriend and became one of the top wingers for the Oxford Marathons Rugby Club, now called Harlequins.

A police spokesman said Rankine had attacked the young woman down a lane in the centre of Oxford, bashing her head against a wall before a passer-by saw what was happening and called police.

Sentencing will now take place on April 19.

Story date: Saturday 18 March

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