A CONVICTED rapist who committed a sex act in front of a girl on a train is facing a jail term.

Paul Black, 47, was found guilty of sexual assault after a three-day trial at Burnley Crown Court.

He had earlier admitted outraging public decency but had denied the assault charge.

The defendant, of Preston New Road, Blackburn, was remanded in custody for pre-sentence and psychiatric reports and will be sentenced at the end of May.

The court heard Black, who had previous convictions for indecent assault and rape, could now be classed as a danger to the public and will probably be put on licence for the rest of his life.

His past record had not been revealed to the jury.

Judge Jonathan Woolman told them he had taken that decision because the defendant couldn't possibly have had a fair trial had they known about his background.

The jury had heard how Black committed a sex act and touched the girl when the train was in Burnley.

The victim was sitting opposite him and the prosecution told the court he had taken "some perverted pleasure" in doing the sex act in front of her and assaulting her.

The defendant admitted to the court he had committed the sex act but said he had not intended to touch the girl and it was accidental.

He alleged he had been thinking about his girlfriend and had been relaxed.

He said during the trial that he did not want to go to the toilet as he feared that he would lose his seat. Black claimed he did not fancy the girl.

The defendant told the jury he had initially lied to police because he was ashamed of his actions and had not known what his father and girlfriend would say.