A serial sex attacker who began a campaign of terror against young men while living in Ledbury has been jailed for 12 years.

Roger Maru, a 6ft 4ins New Zealander, first struck in 1995 against a 16 year old working for a farming company.

Maru twice went on the run from Police after being granted bail and preyed on three more victims before finally being arrested last year in Fleet, Hampshire.

He had used a variety of aliases and worked as a security guard and a nightclub bouncer.

Maru, 35, formerly of New Street, Ledbury, pleaded guilty to four counts of indecent assault and possession of a firearm to commit an indecent assault. Further counts of male rape and false imprisonment were left to lie on file.

Judge John Cavell branded Maru a danger to the public and ordered him to be deported after serving his sentence because of the likelihood of further crimes.

Police suspect that Maru may have used a "date rape" drug to stupefy his victims, since some evidence describes complete memory block of events before the assaults took place.

Rex Tedd QC, prosecuting at Worcester Crown Court, said Maru took advantage of victims while they were drunk. In August, 1995, Maru was employed as a security officer on a fruit farm in Ledbury and was given a temporary home in New Street.

Maru, nicknamed Jabba, and a group of friends planned to visit Alton Towers and the defendant invited the 16-year-old to stay at his home overnight ready for an early start next day.

The youth ended up badly affected by alcohol and was attacked by Maru. The victim managed to escape his clutches by running barefoot into the Ring of Bells pub, clad only in his boxers, and pleading with the landlady: "Don't let him get me."

Maru came into the pub a short time later and tried to force the youth outside, but customers and staff intervened. Police detained Maru who protested his innocence. But before the case came to Worcester Crown Court in March 1996 he jumped bail. There followed further sex attacks on men in London and in Fleet.

During the final crime, Maru used a police baton and an imitation gun to terrify his victim.

Nigel Lambert QC, defending, said Maru had saved witnesses reliving their horrific experiences by pleading guilty on the day of trial. Maru was "dogged by confused sexual orientation" and was sorry for the distress caused.