Joseph Millsip, who has already served a jail sentence for abusing a 13-year-old girl in 1999, cornered his latest victim in his North Shields home before sexually assaulting him on July 5 last year, Newcastle Crown Court was told.

Police were only called when the victim – who has the mental age of a seven-year-old – returned home and told his carer of the assault.

Millsip, formerly of Meadow View, was arrested but denied carrying out any sexual assault.

However, a forensic examination of Millsip's home confirmed the account given by the victim, and Millsip, 43, pleaded guilty to a charge of sexual assault when he appeared at Newcastle Crown Court.

Jailing him indefinitely, Judge Esmond Faulks said: "Taking into account your conviction from 1999, it seems to me reasonable to conclude you have been targeting vulnerable people of both gender in order to satisfy your deviant sexual desires.

"That makes you a danger to the public, and in particular to vulnerable members of society.

"I have to pass an indefinite sentence upon you."

Millsip must serve a minimum of three years before being considered for parole but will only be released when the parole board deem him safe.

Millsip's partner, Lynn Carlson, 42, who provided a false alibi for Millsip to the investigating officers, admitted perverting the course of justice.

She was given a 36-week jail sentence, suspended for 12 months, and ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work.