A probation officer has been ordered to attend court to explain why she concluded that a convicted rapist was a danger to the public.

Stephen Alexander served sentences totalling 10 years for raping a woman and indecently assaulting a child.

His latest sex offence was to expose himself to a woman as she was leaving a pub in Hereford city centre, Worc-ester Crown Court was told.

Judge Richard Rundell said the probation officer who compiled a pre-sentence report on 37-year-old Alexander, of Springfield Avenue, Hereford, believed him to be "clearly dangerous".

The judge had to decide if he posed a significant risk of serious harm to the public in the future - and could pass an extended sentence.

But defence counsel Nigel Hall took issue with the report and claimed Alexander was "addressing his desires".

His offending since the rape conviction in 1993 had reduced in severity.

Mr Hall said there was a six- year gap in his crimes, despite having the opportunity to get involved in trouble because he lived near to a primary school.

The judge said he was "very concerned" about what the probation officer had written in her report. He decided to summon her to court so that the defence could cross-examine her about her conclusions in the witness box.

Gareth Walters, prosecuting, said Alexander, who admitted exposure, was seen standing near a pub on Saturday, April 7, with his trousers round his ankles. He shocked a woman passer-by by carrying out a sex act on himself and then put a hand over his face to hide his identity.

Mr Walters said the rape of a stranger had brought Alexander a six-year jail sentence. It was followed in 1997 by a four-year term for two counts of indecent assault on a girl under the age of 16 and indecent exposure.

Mr Hall said Alexander exposed himself in Hereford while drunk but added: "His deviant behaviour is becoming a lot less." The defendant had stopped taking LSD and had cut down on his drinking.

He also had a disabled partner who the probation officer suggested might be at risk from him. Mr Hall said that view was "misconceived".

The judge bailed Alexander and adjourned the case.