A MAN described as a 'danger to women' has withdrawn his appeal against a rare order banning him from Blackburn.

Andrew Del Sol, 46, from Bradford, was challenging a Violent Offender Prevention Order previously imposed by the courts, under Human Rights legislation.

Mr Del Sol was released last January after serving an eight-year sentence for holding his teenage girlfriend captive and torturing her.

But during a period out on licence, Del Sol had been living at a hostel in Blackburn and had struck up a friendship with 25-year-old woman from the town.

He had been spotted arm in arm with the woman in 2008 and had kept the relationship secret from his supervising officer.

It was alleged he had physically assaulted her as well as contacting previous victims.

Concerned police, probation and prison staff turned to the courts to impose a rare piece of legislation to stop him from contacting the woman – and previous partners - on his release.

He is one of only four people subject to a VOPO in the country.

On Monday, a four-day appeal hearing had been due to start at Preston Sessions House.

However, prosecution barrister John Parr and defence barrister Adrian Langdale told Judge Graham Knowles QC, that they had come to an agreement.

The order was reduced by one year, from a five to a four-year term, with the exclusion zone limited to Blackburn town centre.

It now expires on February 10, 2014.

Judge Knowles QC said: “It is on the face of it, a sensible, practical and realistic approach to the case taken both by the Chief Constable and Mr Del Sol.”

Speaking outside court, Mr Del Sol said he had 'no wish' to go to Blackburn and that he planned to challenge his previous convictions at the Court of Appeal in London.

He was first jailed in 1989 for using a blowtorch on a partner and jailed again in August 2002.

Lancashire Police have previously said Mr Del Sol posed 'a real and serious threat to the public, especially young females'.