A 64-year-old paedophile, described by a judge as a lifelong sexual predator, has had his bid to be allowed contact with teenagers as young as 16 thrown out today.

Anthony Charles Battles, who had convictions for indecency with children dating back 40 years, was given a Sex Offenders Order, banning him from communicating with under-18s without the presence of a parent or guardian, in 2001.

Bradford Crown Court heard he had breached the order four times in the space of a week last November by having contact with a 16 year-old girl and a 17-year-old boy with learning difficulties.

The court heard he befriended the boy and invited both teenagers back to his flat where he supplied them with drink.

Prosecutor Ewan McLachlan said that on one occasion the girl was so drunk when she returned home the police were called and she was arrested to prevent a breach of the peace.

It was alleged at a previous hearing that he had stroked the girl's leg.

Battles was appealing to have the sex offenders order amended to prevent him from communicating with under-16s, instead of people under 18.

His barrister, Simon Myers, said Battles was old and lonely and would grasp any opportunity to socialise. He said there was no evidence his client had been grooming the two teenagers, no evidence he was a danger to young people over the age of consent, and there was no evidence he presented a serious risk of serious sexual harm to someone over the age of 16.

He said Battles had no interest in a sexual liaison with anyone over the age of 16.

But Judge Roger Scott, sitting with two magistrates, said it would be unrealistic and wrong to reduce the age of young people protected by the order.

"This man's record indicates he is a lifelong predatory attacker of males and females and has been for a long, long time," said Judge Scott.

"It's very important that this defendant should not have any contact with anyone of or over 16 years, up to the age of 18. We are satisfied it is necessary to make such an order for the purpose of protecting the public from serious sexual harm.

"We think this man's history demonstrates the necessity of such an order. We consider it important every child under 16 is protected and every young person under the age of 18 is protected from someone who is plainly a predatory man looking for sex with both males and females."

The court heard that Battles, formerly of Mint Street, Undercliffe, Bradford, but now homeless, was jailed for five years in 1993 for indecently assaulting a ten year-old boy and charges of taking a child without lawful authority.

Two years earlier he had been given an extended sentence for indecently assaulting a 12 year-old boy he had befriended.

In 1988 he was sentenced to three years for indecently assaulting a female under 14 and in 1973 he was jailed for seven years for a serious sexual offence and indecent assault of males under 14.

His first convictions were in 1968 for indecently assaulting boys under 14.