A convicted murderer has carried out a series of sex attacks after being released early from his jail sentence.

Cleon Reid, 35, was jailed for life in 1996 for killing a pensioner – but released in 2011.

Now a jury at Canterbury Crown Court has convicted him of three rapes and two assaults in Dover in 2014 and he will be sentenced next month.

The jury heard how Reid was regarded as "intelligent and charming" but he had a darkside.

But we can now reveal how 20 years ago, he was jailed for life for stabbing a war veteran to death during a burglary.

Although he was just 15 at the time, an Old Bailey judge gave permission for him to be named after ruling he posed "a potential risk" to the public.

While awaiting trial for the murder, Reid escaped custody "with ease" after being taken swimming by a social worker.

The 6ft youth was able to flee from his minder while awaiting trial and being held at Orchard Lodge Assessment Centre, in south-east London, under a restriction order on his movements.

"I commend the victim for coming forward to report it – she has shown great strength during the investigation and the case" - DC Daniel Aylett

Reid was arrested a month later and ordered to be detained on remand in the secure care of Lewisham Council.

He was later convicted of murdering Ted Howell, 75, by stabbing him to death during a burglary at his home in Lewisham, south London in November 1996.

During his trial at the Old Bailey, the jury heard how the victim, a former Royal Engineer and Second World War veteran, was followed home from the post office by Reid, who was out on bail at the time, awaiting trial for seven burglaries.

In a completely unprovoked attack, the teenager stabbed Ted repeatedly and stole his pension money.

Judge Grigson agreed that Reid's identity - up until then protected under a Children and Young Persons Act order - should be made public after hearing details of the escape two days ago.

He was released from his sentence but recalled on licence in 2014 after the allegations, which has now led to his further convictions.

Canterbury Crown Court heard of several incidents in which Reid subjected his latest victim to sexual as well as violent assaults. At one point he strangled her, and in a separate incident, kicked her to the leg.

Following a trial, Reid was found guilty of three counts of rape and two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

A jury found him not guilty of a further three charges: one count of rape, one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and one count of making threats to kill.

After the hearing, Detective Constable Daniel Aylett said: "I commend the victim for coming forward to report it – she has shown great strength during the investigation and the case."