Questions have been asked about why a sadistic rapist from Bath was let out of prison early - only for him to mount a sickening carbon copy attack on another woman .

Alexander McArthur was out on licence after serving half of the sentence for his first brutal assault, when he subjected his second victim to a seven-hour nightmare in her own home.

The 47-year-old, who was living in Snow Hill at the time, showed no remorse during his week-long trial at Bristol Crown Court and has now been given another 20-year life sentence.

Anti-rape campaigners have condemned the judicial system, which they say fails to protect potential victims because violent rapists are released back into the community.

Academic Dr Nicole Westmarland from Durham University, who is also a trustee of the board of directors of the charity Rape Crisis, said change was needed.

She said: "This case is a prime example of why we urgently need to reconsider what we do with men who are sexually violent towards women.

"One of the prime motivations for women to give evidence and support a prosecution is the desire for it not to happen again to another woman.

"This is clearly not working and we need to make sure that sexually violent men are not given the freedom to rape."

Although McArthur was given a 20-year life sentence in 1994 for two counts of rape and two of sexual assault, he was back on the streets after serving just half of that time in jail.

He was released on licence, which means he was being monitored by the Probation Service, but raped his next victim just four years later.

The service's Avon and Somerset section will now be carrying out an internal review into what went wrong, but said McArthur had not been considered a danger to the public.

A spokesman said: "We extend our sincerest sympathy to the victim. We constantly work to have the best possible systems in place to manage offenders effectively.

"All life sentence prisoners are subject to probation supervision on release from prison. They will have to adhere to a set of strict conditions and are subject to recall to custody for the rest of their lives if their behaviour indicates that it is no longer safe to allow them to remain in the community.

"An internal review of the case is being undertaken by Avon and Somerset Probation Area, in line with national guidance and any learning points identified will be put into practice.

"The protection of the public remains our top priority."

He added that McArthur had been subject to the Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements, which see the police, probation and prison services working together to assess and manage the risk posed by sexual and violent offenders.

At his trial McArthur had pleaded not guilty to four charges of rape, one charge of assault by penetration and one charge of false imprisonment.

The jury heard that he had stuck plasters over his victim's eyes as he repeatedly raped and beat her in an attack that had all the hallmarks of his previous attack.

Judge James Tabor QC said McArthur would serve at least half of his 20-year sentence and should not be released until "age and infirmity" meant he was no longer a risk to the public.

Det Insp Mike Williams of Avon and Somerset police welcomed the outcome of the case and thanked the victim for her co-operation in securing a conviction.

He said: "We are pleased with the verdict and the sentence which means that a dangerous offender is now in prison for the foreseeable future and, on the judge's recommendation, until he no longer poses a threat to females.

"We are grateful to the victim who although traumatised, engaged with the police, providing significant evidence, which helped to secure a successful conviction.

"The police will continue to robustly investigate serious sexual assaults. In this case the offender was arrested within a matter of minutes of the offence and was charged the following day. He remained in custody from time of his charging through to his conviction.

"Fortunately these kind of incidents happen rarely but we would like the public to report them to the police immediately on the 999 emergency number.

"We are fully committed, with the Probation Service, to protecting the public and managing offenders in the community, ensuring the public feel safe and are safe."