A MAN who terrified youngsters, has had the decision to ban him from Widnes overturned.

Akinwale Arobieke, aged 46, notorious for preying on young men and feeling their muscles won his appeal to break an interim Sexual Offences Prevention Order.

He is commonly known as 'Purple Aki'

At Liverpool Crown Court on Friday Judge Bruce Macmillian revoked his order, branding it "draconian".

Police applied for the order when Mr Arobieke was let out on licence after being jailed for six years in 2003 on 15 counts of harassment.

The charges related to him asking young people if he could touch their muscles.

But the court heard the prosecution was unable to prove his behaviour was sexually motivated or had caused serious psychological harm to his victims.

Under the terms of the order Mr Arobieke was also not allowed to approach or do paid or voluntary work with any young person under 18.

He was also banned from St Helens and Widnes without the permission from the chief constable.

A legal technicality means a second order of a similar nature against Mr Arobieke however it is expected to be lifted.