AN IRAQI refugee who became a serial rapist may have attacked many more prostitutes before he was caught trying to strangle a North-East call girl, police said last night.

Paiwand Akram, 17, a Kurd who was smuggled into the UK illegally, could have been in the country for up to 18 months before he was tracked down by police.

Officers found him trying to strangle a Middlesbrough prostitute. DNA evidence linked him to further attacks in Derby.

He was jailed for 14 years yesterday at Derby Crown Court. Judge Andrew Hamilton recommended his immediate deportation as soon as he was released.

But last night, detectives admitted they feared Akram might attempt to smuggle himself back into the country if he was sent to Iraq.

Akram, whose father was murdered by Saddam Hussein's regime, committed two rapes in Derby before fleeing to Middlesbrough.

In late December, he twice raped a prostitute after picking her up in the city's Osmaston Road, forcing her to the ground and placing his hands around her neck, the court heard.

Andrew Peet, prosecuting, said the woman did not report the rape - fearing she would not be taken seriously - until she heard about the next attack.

Akram followed his second Derby victim out of a Spar shop before pulling out a knife, dragging her into bushes and cutting off her underwear, the court heard.

She tried to gouge Akram's eyes but, pressing on to her windpipe, he pushed harder until she passed out, said Mr Peet.

The woman regained consciousness to find him raping her.

Derby Police nearly caught up with Akram after the second rape, on January 11, following help from the local Kurdish community.

Officers had a picture of him from security cameras in the Spar shop, a false name he was using and his mobile telephone number.

But they arrived at his home hours too late - Akram had fled to Middlesbrough.

On January 21, he was caught by the police with his trousers down after trying to strangle a prostitute and knocking her unconscious, the court heard.

Stuart Lody, mitigating, told the court Akram, who admitted two rapes and attempting to strangle a woman with intent to rape her, had recently shaved his head as an act of contrition.

Derbyshire Detective Inspector Bill Steel said outside court: "Who's to say there aren't any other victims who we haven't traced?

"We think he had been in the country for 18 months. He's obviously a very dangerous man who's committed some horrendous offences. He's safe where he is for the time being. But what is there to prevent that individual from coming back if he is deported, especially if he returns illegally?"

Detective Sergeant Ian Craig, from Middlesbrough CID, said: "We knew he travelled extensively throughout the country and we liaised with several different police forces in this case.

"He was a danger to women as with each offence he became more violent."