A sex attacker who stalked a string of women while on the run from a life sentence for beating a 92-year-old widow senseless is facing years behind bars.

Lee Cyrus, 48, launched his terrifying campaign of violence and exposure after he wandered out of North Sea Camp open prison in Boston, Lincolnshire.

Cyrus, also known as Ivan Leach, was jailed for life with a minimum of five years in 2005 after robbing the pensioner at her home in Preston, for just £12.

Cyrus sparked a nationwide manhunt after he absconded from the open prison in Boston, while on day release on October 9 last year.

He put on a balaclava and looked for victims at Boston Cemetery and Crematorium, before travelling by coach to Hampstead Heath, north London, Southwark Crown Court heard.

Last autumn, he held a woman at knife-point and was carrying a knife when he broke into an 81-year-old's home.

The fugitive was caught after a policeman saw him walking along Highgate Hill, north London, early on December 2 last year.

During his month-long trial at the court, he insisted police had simply "got the wrong man".

But a jury of four men and eight women found Cyrus guilty of five counts of exposure, wounding with intent, unlawful wounding, affray, aggravated burglary, robbery and burglary.

Adjourning sentence, Judge Deborah Taylor said: "It is a matter of grave concern the level of supervision in the community which was given to the defendant prior to his parole board hearing in this case."

Cyrus, of no fixed address, will be sentenced on Friday December 13.