A DOUBLE rapist has been jailed after subjecting a woman to a terrifying ordeal in a derelict chapel.

David Mitchell’s brave victim was in court with family and friends as the former Brighouse hotel night porter was told he would have to serve at least four years before even being considered for release.

But Judge Scott Wolstenholme, sitting at Bradford Crown Court yesterday, also told Mitchell, 48, there was a significant risk he would cause further serious harm to women and he could not predict when, if ever, it would be safe to let him out.

In April, 2002, Mitchell, of Roomfield Road, Todmorden, was jailed for seven years and three months at York Crown Court after he repeatedly raped a woman.

He was released on licence in November, 2006.

But just 17 months later he raped his second victim.

He confronted her as she took a short cut home through the Stoney Royd Cemetery in Siddal New Road, Halifax, on a Sunday afternoon.

Prosecutor Heather Weir said Mitchell asked the 22-year-old woman for a light for his cigarette and directions to Siddal before confronting her again and telling her he had a knife.

He threatened to kill the woman if she did not comply with his instructions.

When she tried to shout for help he said he would strangle her.

Mitchell forced her to climb through a gap in a metal fence before pushing her into the chapel, where he told her to remove her lower clothing.

During her ordeal Mitchell indecently touched and kissed the woman before having unprotected sex with her as she knelt in front of him.

“'He told her he was sorry and asked her not to tell the police,’’' said Miss Weir.

Although the woman said she would not contact the police Mitchell became aggressive and demanded money.

He took her bank card and PIN number, which he used later that afternoon to withdraw £300 from her account.

He also told the woman not to leave the chapel for 10 minutes.

After the rape Mitchell travelled to Scarborough.

He stayed in a hotel before handing himself in to police two days later.

Mitchell pleaded guilty to charges of rape, robbery and theft at an earlier court hearing.

Miss Weir said the victim, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, had not made a victim personal statement.

But having spoken to her she said the woman was now anxious about being out alone.

The judge told Mitchell: “This young woman was taking a short cut to her home through a cemetery.

“You happened upon her and it appears you very quickly decided you were going to rape her.

“'The emotional trauma you put that young lady through must have been considerable and, not surprisingly, three months later she remains fearful of walking alone and wary of strangers.’’

The judge said the rape was not of sufficient gravity to merit a life sentence.

But he said it was appropriate to pass a sentence which would mean Mitchell stayed behind bars for as long as necessary to protect the public.

He added: “This offence demonstrates an escalation in your lack of control of your aggressive sexual impulses towards women.

“You’re not mentally ill, but I agree with the doctor’s conclusion that you pose a significant risk of causing serious harm to women in the future by the commission of further sexual or violent offences.

“I cannot predict at this stage when, if ever, there will come a time when you no longer pose such a risk,’’ the judge concluded.

Barrister Giles Bridge, for Mitchell, said his client handed himself in to the police because he knew he had left his DNA at the scene and would eventually be traced.

Mr Bridge added: “There is a great deal of work that needs to be done by this defendant before he can ever satisfy the Parole Board he is safe to be released.’’