A DOUBLE rapist is beginning a life sentence after he carried out two attacks in the space of seven months.

But the judge said David Shaw, 28, must serve at least just four years for the attacks in Brighouse and Milnsbridge.

Judge Stephen Gullick said the life sentence reflected the danger that Shaw still was to women.

Otherwise, he would have jailed him for 10 years. But with parole and time spent on remand this would have made his earliest release date 2008.

Bradford Crown Court heard that Shaw's first victim was a 15-year-old girl, who he attacked after offering to walk her home in November, 2002.

Prosecutor David Kelly said Shaw pushed the girl to the ground near a park in Brighouse and grabbed her by the neck.

"He told her not to make a noise or he would kill her," added Mr Kelly.

During the attack, the girl, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, repeatedly told Shaw to stop.

When she started crying he said he would kill her if she didn't stop.

Despite her protests, Shaw tried to have sex with the girl, but eventually left the scene after threatening to kill her if she told anyone.

The court heard that police questioned Shaw, of Chinewood Avenue, Batley, about the attack, but he denied any sexual contact with the girl.

He was not charged until a DNA link was confirmed five months later.

He was then given bail, with conditions.

But less than a month later he raped a 24-year- old woman in Milnsbridge.

Shaw pleaded guilty to offences of rape and indecent assault in relation to the teenager.

In March this year he was convicted after a trial of similar offences in respect of the woman in Milnsbridge, who also cannot be identified.

Judge Gullick, the Recorder of Bradford, adjourned sentence so that various reports could be provided on Shaw.

Yesterday he said he was satisfied that Shaw was a continuing risk to women.

The judge added: "In those circumstances I take the view that the only appropriate sentence in your case is to pass a life sentence."

He indicated that Shaw would have to serve a minimum of four years in jail.

He will also have to register as a sex offender with the police for the rest of his life.

Judge Gullick also banned Shaw from ever working with children.