Double rapist back behind bars.

A JUDGE has ruled that a man who already had one rape conviction when he raped a sleeping young woman who went back to his Coventry home is a danger to the public.

When Michael Barrington Bowen pleaded guilty to the latest offence last month, Mr Justice Coleman Treacy had asked for psychiatric and presentence reports on him.

And after reading the reports at Stafford Crown Court, where he is now sitting, Mr Justice Treacy concluded that Bowen does pose a danger to women.

He sentenced Bowen to an indeterminate prison term for the protection of the public and ordered that he should serve at least three-and-a-half years before he can be considered for parole.

Although the 152 days Bowen has spent on remand will count towards that, even after the three-and-a-half years he will only be released when the Parole Board decides it is safe to free him.

Bowen, 36, of Budbroke Close, Wood End, Coventry, had denied raping the young woman but pleaded guilty on the day he was due to stand trial at Warwick Crown Court in June.

In 1996, Bowen had been jailed for six years for raping another young woman who had gone back to his home.