A STALKER who carried out a series of terrifying sex attacks in Glasgow - two of them on the same night - was handed a life sentence today.

Thomas Lyons, 17, became the youngest person in Scotland to be hit with an order for lifelong restriction, keeping him under close watch even after he is freed.

Judge Lord Kinclaven ordered Lyons to serve a minimum of four-and-a-half years, but warned that he would only be released when the parole board consider he is no longer a danger. The High Court in Edinburgh had heard how Lyons pounced on a 27-year-old woman just after he turned 16.

He trailed the woman along a street towards her Glasgow home as she talked to her mum on a mobile phone on August 7 last year.

Lyons grabbed her neck, pushed her against a wall and kissed her. He ran away when she began screaming and swinging her gym bag at him During the days that followed, his victims were a 16-year-old girl, a 19-year-old pregnant woman and a 20-year-old.

All were talking on their mobile phones when they were sexually assaulted by Lyons.

Lyons of 75 Plean Street, Yoker, pleaded guilty to four charges of assault with intent to rape.

Solicitor advocate Ian Bryce, defending, said that Lyons could not explain the attacks.

"What he is in a position to do is express remorse," said the lawyer.

Mr Bryce said it was "tragic" that someone so young should meet the criteria for an order for life-long restriction.

The new powers were introduced into the courts in June 2006 to give judges greater powers to deal with the most serious violent, or sexual offences. The order means that after his release, Lyons will be monitored and can be returned to custody if he steps out of line.

Previously, the youngest person to be given an order for lifelong restriction was Darren Cornelius, 18, of Edinburgh, for a stabbing in the city.