A PAEDOPHILE -- described as one of the most dangerous men in Bolton -- is starting a 10-year jail term for the attempted kidnap of a schoolboy.

Serial sex offender John Foley, aged 31, regularly drove around Bolton's schools looking for children.

And as a long distance delivery van driver, he was able to tour the country to seek out potential victims.

He spotted the 10-year-old schoolboy walking along a Bolton street and grabbed him by the throat before attempting to drag him into his car. But the boy foiled him by fighting back and eventually managed to break free and run away.

Bolton-born Foley, who had been previously jailed for indecently assaulting a child, had driven through the town's streets for weeks -- after his release from prison -- on the lookout for children, Manchester Crown Court was told.

Beverly Lunt, prosecuting, said: "He told a probation worker he had been looking for a child for a long time. He would leave his parents' house at teatime and drive around Bolton's schools to look for children."

Foley attacked the boy on a Sunday afternoon in Hawthorne Road, Deane, 15 months after being released from jail.

The youngster was walking along the pavement with his younger brother when Foley pulled up beside them and got out of his car. He pinned the 10-year-old to a wall, verbally abused him and then tried to force him into the vehicle. But the boy broke free and Foley fled.

The boy told his parents and gave police a description of his attacker. Detectives believed that Foley -- who was on the Sex Offenders Register and was subject to regular police checks -- was responsible and he was arrested.

But Foley, who lived with his parents in the Deane area, denied he was responsible, claiming he was watching a football match on television despite the fact that CCTV cameras showed he was in the area at the time.

Foley still denied being involved until the start of his trial last month when he pleaded guilty.

The court heard that Foley, who was bullied at school, was responsible for a string of violent and sexual offences against children including indecent assault, gross indecency and indecent exposure. The offences date back to 1989.

He took up a job as a long-distance delivery driver in the mid-1990s and travelled all over the country. Then in 1998 he was convicted of indecently assaulting a nine-year-old schoolboy on an Essex industrial estate and was jailed for four years. He was caught because he left DNA evidence on the boy's clothing.

Foley showed no sign of emotion as his sexual desires were revealed in court on Friday. The shaven-headed figure peered over at the few people in the public gallery, but otherwise sat silently.

His barrister, Phillip Andrews, referred to a psychologist's report that said physical assault was a major source of Foley's sexual gratification. He added: "This is not a man who has no motivation to change. He has tried to co-operate. He looked for help and was asked to say what his fantasies were, so they could be dealt with."

Mr Andrews said the judge should be mindful that the defendant had pleaded guilty when passing sentence. Foley's plea had ensured that the boy would not have to give evidence in court, he said. He also felt it appropriate that Foley be sent to prison, so that he could undergo treatment for his behaviour.

In passing sentence, Judge Robert Atherton told Foley: "This is not a simple case of someone going up to a youngster and chastising them. There was a sinister motive. You have a desire to subject young people, particularly boys, to physical violence for your own sexual gratification."

The judge praised Foley's parents for their "commendable attitude" in the way that they came forward and helped the police in every way they could.

Foley showed no emotion as the sentence was read out. He was led quickly down to the cells.

Det Sgt John Yeomans, of Greater Manchester Police's public protection unit, said after the hearing: "This is a satisfactory conclusion to this case.

"We must pay tribute to the bravery of the young victim who assisted the investigation. His courage to speak out, even at court if it had been necessary, was overwhelming.

"The outcome sends a message to anyone else involved in this kind of behaviour that they will be caught and brought before the courts."

But he urged the judge to take a "realistic view" of the offence on a day when news about the deaths of Soham girls Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman was still fresh on people's minds.

He added: "Hopefully, when Mr Foley does get released, he will be a different man, somebody who can control his fantasies, or at least put them aside."

He has asked to serve his sentence at Grendom Underwood, a prison for dangerous offenders in Buckinghamshire.

His barrister said he wanted to go there because it offered a specialised treatment programme.