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A SEX offender who plotted in prison to molest an unsuspecting young woman has been jailed for two years and banned from wearing women's clothing.

Liverpool crown court heard reports from a psychologist and a probation officer showed Paul Williams, 39, presents a high risk of sexual harm to women and children.

His previous convictions include indecent exposure, indecent assault, outraging public decency and burglaries during which he stole women's clothing.

Judge Brian Lewis said: "This was a sinister and persistent plot to exercise your sexual depravity.

"You wrote letters from your prison cell to your girlfriend whom you involved in this process.

"You have a long standing interest in female clothing which is one of the indicators of the risk you present to the public." Williams, of Old Chester Road, Rock Ferry, Wirral, was released from jail in January 2002 on licence and began a relationship with his girlfriend, who is now 24.

He stole clothing belonging to her, including underwear and other items which he defaced with obscenities or destroyed.

He was recalled to prison in February the next year. He was arrested in October 2004 when 1,500 pages of "graphic and disturbing" letters and a photograph of the proposed victim were discovered.

Williams, who is due for release in October next year, pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit sexual touching.

He was ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register for 10 years.

A Sexual Offences Prevention Order bans him from wearing women's clothing, shoes, wigs and make-up and being in the company of anyone under 17.