A SEX fiend, who was jailed last year for abducting and indecently assaulting two young girls in Blackburn, was given a job at a Yorkshire college despite being on the Sex Offenders' Register.

Mark Hayhurst, 34, a former security guard at Blackburn College, was jailed for three and a half years in January 2002, after being found guilty of abducting and indecently assaulting the two girls, aged seven and eight, in August 2001.

Hayhurst, formerly of Mansfield Street, Audenshaw, was also placed on the Sex Offenders' Register for 10 years.

But in July this year, he took up a job at Rotherham College of Arts and Technology.

He was sacked three days later when it is believed his past came to light.

At Hayhurst's trial at Preston Crown Court, a jury heard how his young victims were taken in separate incidents to a derelict house after being asked to help to look for his lost dog.

The judge who sentenced him said young girls needed protecting from him.

In addition to the three and a half year jail term, Judge Andrew Blake placed Hayhurst on seven years' extended licence and ordered his name to be put on the Sex Offenders' Register for ten years.

Deputy principal of Rotherham College, George Trow, said it was not possible to comment on any individual, but said: "I can confirm that we employed a contractor on a short term contract for a piece of work, to produce a report for us on our internal management process.

"After a period of three days of carrying out that activity we were given some information that led us to prematurely cease the contract. There was no incident involved.

"We issue contracts to a large number of people to carry out painting and decorating and other activities and carry out a risk assessment on any individual who comes into contact with under 18s or vulnerable adults, which was not the case.

"If that is the case then we would do a criminal record check.

"The college was also on summer shut-down during the period this person was employed and there were no students around."

A spokeswoman for South Yorkshire Police, said: "As far as we know the police have not received a complaint.

"This is a private matter for the college."