A serial sex offender born in the North East who carried out a string of violent crimes in the mid-1980s has died in prison, it has been confirmed.

Malcolm Fairley, 72, died in HMP Hull on Tuesday (May 28) - nearly 40 years after he was sentenced to sentenced to six life terms at St Albans Crown Court in 1985 for a string of sexual offences.

Fairley, who was born in Silksworth in Sunderland, was nicknamed "The Fox" due to his habit of breaking into homes in Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire in 1984 where he would often build dens.

The Northern Echo: Newspaper clipping showing Malcolm Fairley.Newspaper clipping showing Malcolm Fairley. (Image: BEDFORDSHIRE POLICE)

He also prepared and ate meals, watched TV and collected trophies from his victims, before committing crimes including rape and indecent assault while wearing a mask and brandishing a shotgun.

Fairley had committed 81 offences before being arrested at his home in Kentish Town, north London, in September 1984.

The Northern Echo: Manhunt for Malcom Fairley in 1984.Manhunt for Malcom Fairley in 1984. (Image: BEDFORDSHIRE POLICE)

Around 200 police officers were involved in the extensive manhunt in 1984 named Operation Peanut to catch Fairley - which ended up costing Bedfordshire Police hundreds of thousands of pounds.

Earlier this year, Channel 5's new series, The Intruder: He's Watching You From Within, revealed that Fairley could have been paroled, having seen a bid for freedom refused last October.

The Northern Echo: Manhunt for Malcom Fairley in 1984.Manhunt for Malcom Fairley in 1984. (Image: BEDFORDSHIRE POLICE)

In the documentary, Detective Ch Supt Brian Prickett raised serious concerns about Fairley's possible release from prison, saying: "Malcolm Fairley should never come out of prison after all the fear and harm he put into the community.

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"He never deserves to be released because I think he's still a real risk to the public."

The Northern Echo: File photo of media gathering in 1984 in relation to the Malcolm Fairley case.File photo of media gathering in 1984 in relation to the Malcolm Fairley case. (Image: BEDFORDSHIRE POLICE)

A HM Prison & Probation Service spokesperson said: "Malcolm Fairley died on 28 May at HMP Hull. As with all deaths in custody, the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman has been informed."