A MURDERER who launched a violent attack on a woman in an incident with chilling echoes of his past crimes has been jailed for three-and-a-half years.

John Bengtsson, known as Jack, had only been out of prison for ten months when he launched the assault on his victim, who had befriended him at a halfway house.

But the pensioner may never be released as once he has served the jail term he will have to apply for parole on the life licence for the killing, and still poses a risk.

The 76-year-old was staying at a hostel for ex-offenders at The Halve, Trowbridge, as part of his reintegration into society after serving more than 30 years inside having been jailed in the early 1980s.

While there he met his 44-year-old victim through another resident, who was also living at the hostel after coming out early from a lengthy jail term.

Bengtsson, who used a mobility scooter to get around, went to the victim's flat in March last year after meeting up and drinking with her during the day.

Once there, she told a jury at Swindon Crown Court he sexually assaulted her as well as leaving her with a black eye in a violent attack: allegations he denied.

He said that she wanted him to lend her some money and told him she would 'do anything' for it.

Following a trial Bengtsson was found not guilty of the sex attack but was convicted of causing actual bodily harm.

He told the jury he was trying to put his criminal past behind him after his release and cried in the witness box as he said he had learned the error of his ways.

He has suffered four heart attacks, pulmonary lung disease, osteoarthritis, chronic kidney disease, high blood pressure and needed a daily array of medicines.

Jailing him Judge Tim Mousley QC said: "I am satisfied due to the evidence of the number of injuries that she suffered that this was a persistent and sustained attack upon her and it was an attack upon her in her own home.

"She thought you were a friend but you terrified her: you left her badly bruised and battered and the psychological effect of what you did will be long lasting.

"What you did to her bears some of the characteristics and hallmarks of the offence that you committed in the past.

"I take the view that that is an area that the parole board must consider when they address your release in the future. You still blame her for it.

"This assault on her took place only ten months after you were released on licence. There is a high risk of you causing serious harm in the future."