A pensioner who raped and sexually abused a woman with learning difficulties has been jailed for an indeterminate period.

Judge Geoffrey Marson QC described Anthony Fruin as a dangerous sexual predator and ordered that he must serve at least four years behind bars before he is even considered for parole.

Fruin, 71, of North Queen Street, Keighley, was given an indeterminate sentence for the protection of the public at Leeds Crown Court yesterday.

His barrister Sophie Drake said he was in poor health and now expected to die in prison.

Fruin was convicted at Bradford Crown Court on August 3 of two charges of rape, sexual assault by touching and assault by penetration.

The court heard that he abused his vulnerable 39-year-old victim between March 20 and April 19 this year.

The woman had learning difficulties and suffered significant health problems after a serious childhood illness, prosecutor Colin Hendron told the court.

In June, 1994, Fruin had been locked up for eight years for a series of sex offences, including the abuse of two children under 16.

Judge Marson said Fruin was a sexual predator who posed a serious danger to women.

"It was perfectly obvious that your victim had significant learning difficulties and was vulnerable," he said.

Although there was no coercion or physical violence, Fruin groomed her to satisfy his sexual desires.

As well as raping her he had touched her indecently and abused her with a wooden object.

"There is a serious risk of significant harm to others from you," said the judge.

The judge said that Fruin must be on the sex offenders register for the rest of his life.

Mitigating, Miss Drake said that Fruin did not realise his victim had learning difficulties. There was no coercion and it was not a campaign of rape.

She said that Fruin suffered from angina, high blood pressure, arthritis, tinnitus and deafness. He was convinced that he will die in prison.

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