On-the-run rapist John Whiteside gave himself up, armed with knife

A man who went on the run while serving life for rape is back behind bars after walking into a police station with a knife.

John Whiteside was convicted twice in the 1990s for brutal sex attacks on women in Leicester, one at knifepoint.

In March 1992, he bound and raped a 21-year-old student as she walked along Great Central Way, near Western Boulevard, at night.

He was sentenced to eight years in jail, but within two months of his release he struck again – this time subjecting a terrified 17-year-old prostitute to a sex attack in a country lay-by.

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He picked up the girl in Highfields, Leicester, in November 1997, and drove her to a remote lay-by near Kibworth, where he ordered her out of his car, and repeatedly threatened to kill her.

He held a knife against her cheek, tied her up and raped her.

The following year, he received a life sentence after pleading guilty to the attack.

On May 31 this year, after serving 15 years, he absconded from the North Sea open prison camp, in Lincolnshire, while on day release.

Leicester Crown Court heard how he headed straight for Leicester and failed to return to prison. Instead, he handed himself in at Hinckley Road police station, where officers found he had been carrying a Stanley knife and gaffer tape.

He told them he wanted to torture and murder his brother.

Judge Michael Pert QC said, as his brother was in Manchester at the time, he believed it more likely that Whiteside wanted to commit another attack on a woman.

He told him: "Either way, your actions represented a grave threat to the safety of someone."

On Monday, he jailed Whiteside (46), formerly of Leicester, for two years for possessing the knife. He also sentenced him to three months for absconding from prison. He said the sentences would be served alongside the life sentence.

Judge Pert said he hoped his comments would be passed to a parole board due to consider an application for Whitehead's release in October.

Philip Gibbs, prosecuting, told the court Whiteside had taken a train to Leicester after being let out on day release from the North Sea Camp Prison, near Boston.

Mr Gibbs said: "He told the police he was in an emotional state and when he arrived in Leicester he went into a shop and bought a Stanley knife and gaffer tape because he was upset at the actions of his brother.

"Whiteside told officers he intended to attack his brother."

Mr Gibbs confirmed his brother was living in Manchester at the time and Whiteside had only £30.

At the time, Lincolnshire police launched a manhunt using the force's helicopter. They warned the public not to approach him.