AN offender previously described as ‘a parent’s nightmare’ has been put behind bars again for a string of failed burglaries.

Paul Daly is no stranger to prison, having been previously judged to pose a ‘significant risk, particularly for children and women, of serious harm’.

The now 53-year-old was handed an indeterminate sentence of imprisonment in October 2011 after he broke into a home intent on committing a sexual offence on a 14-year-old boy.

He is now back in jail after committing two failed burglaries in the Runcorn area.

Daly, of Portland Road in Chapelford, appeared before Chester Magistrates’ Court on Monday, October 10.

During the hearing, he pleaded guilty to two charges of attempted burglary of a dwelling with intent to steal, and the case progressed to sentence.

Yvonne Dobson, prosecuting, explained how both offences were committed on September 3 this year.

The defendant attempted to enter as a trespasser two homes on Sabre Close and Clarendon Close with a view to burgle them.

The court heard how Daly has a number of serious previous convictions, including for indecently assaulting a woman after breaking into her home in 1999.

He committed a similar offence in June 2011 involving breaking into another home with the intention of committing a sexual offence on a young boy.

The 14-year-old was asleep in the early hours when he was woken by Daly in his room with his hand over his mouth.

The victim screamed and his mum rushed into the room to confront the defendant, who was unknown to them and fled.

He was arrested the next day and was described by his own barrister as ‘a parent’s nightmare’.

The court heard how Daly also committed a string of burglaries in 1998 and 1999, including another where he had broken into a property where two children were sleeping downstairs.

For this latest offence in September this year, district judge John McGarva said that he had taken the defendant’s guilty plea into account, giving credit by not sending it to the crown court.

However, he remarked that the offences were so serious that only a custodial sentence could be justified.

Due to the nature of the offences and given his previous convictions, Daly was recalled to prison under his indeterminate term and locked up for 52 weeks.

He was also ordered to pay a surcharge to fund victim services of £187.