Serial rapist Joseph McCann was among the first yobs in the country to be slapped with an Anti-Social Behavior Order back in 1999 after terrorising a housing estate, it has emerged.
McCann, then just 14, was hauled in front of the court with his two brothers for setting fire to cars, stealing from shops and running a campaign of intimidation before the family was banned from living in Beswick, east Manchester.
He was snapped by photographers at Manchester Evening News along with his brother Sean flicking V-signs outside court after their legal team tried to get them off.
McCann was today convicted of a horrific cocaine and vodka-fuelled rampage of sex attacks on women and children.
Rapist Joseph McCann guilty of 37 counts of rape and kidnapping of women and children
Dramatic moment Joseph McCann caught hiding in tree after sickening rape spree
McCann, now 34 – a convicted burglar who had been freed after a probation error – abducted, raped and assaulted victims aged between 11 and 71 in Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Watford and London.
The evil sex fiend was Britain's most wanted man and was being hunted by hundreds of officers across the country.
McCann changed his appearance and moved across five police force areas as he evaded police for 15 days despite telling his first victim his surname.
He was arrested after running from police in Stoke and hiding in a tree.
On his arrest, the violent offender, who had convictions for burglary, told police: "If you had caught me for the first two, the rest of this wouldn't have happened."
McCann, who had addresses in Aylesbury and Harrow, refused to attend his Old Bailey trial and his claim to have had consensual sex with some of his victims was dismissed as "ludicrous".
It can now be reported that he "zoned out" and cowered under a blanket on the floor of his cell rather than face jurors in court.
The jury found him guilty of 37 charges relating to 11 victims, including eight rapes, false imprisonment and kidnap.
It took the jury foreman seven-and-a-half minutes to deliver the verdicts on Friday afternoon.
The jury paid tribute to the "bravery" of the victims in a note to the judge.
After the verdicts were returned, Mr Justice Edis told the court that 33 of the offences carried discretionary life sentences, which he was considering in the case.
He told McCann's defence that arrangements would be made for the defendant to attend court or appear by video link if he wanted.
McCann, claim to have had consensual sex with some of his victims, was dismissed as "ludicrous".
He will be sentenced on Monday.
It can now be reported that four men and two women have been arrested on suspicion of assisting McCann and released under investigation.
The Ministry of Justice has also launched an inquiry into why McCann was not recalled to prison after committing a burglary following his release from an indeterminate sentence for aggravated burglary.
Instead, McCann was automatically freed having served half of his sentence on February 15.
It is understood one Probation Service worker was demoted as a result of a review of four staff who had direct contact with McCann.
The court heard how two months after his release, in the early hours of April 21, McCann snatched a young woman from the street in Watford and raped her in her bed.
The woman reported the attack to police, McCann's details were put on the Police National Computer and a prison recall was issued.
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