A SERIAL sex offender who tried to abduct a 17-year-old student was jailed for life yesterday after a judge was told that he cannot control his impulses and poses a serious and continuing threat to women.

Security guard James Smith, whose sexual offences date back 25 years, attacks women because it allows him to exert power and control over them.

Lord Cullen, the Lord Justice Clerk, told Smith: ''It is quite clear to me that I require to impose a very substantial sentence, particularly for the protection of the public and potential victims. In the particular circumstances of this case I consider that my correct course is to impose a sentence of life imprisonment.''

The judge added that background reports made it clear that the likelihood of Smith committing further sex offences was high and he remained a considerable danger to women.

He ordered that Smith should serve at least seven years before he can apply to the parole board for release and that will happen only if the Secretary of State is satisfied that he is no longer a risk to women.

At the High Court in Edinburgh, Smith admitted attempting to abduct his latest victim with intent to commit a sexual offence on May 3 this year at Easter Whins Road, Avonbridge, Stirlingshire.

Mr Graham Bell QC, advocate depute, told the court that, at the time of the offences, Smith, a married man, was working as a superviser and security guard with a company known as Sabreguard.

He drew to the court's attention a list of Smith's previous convictions which stretched back to 1973, an indecent assault for which he was sent to Borstal.

Smith, of Cuthill Crescent, Stoneyburn, West Lothian, was also fined in 1974 for an indecent assault then given probation in 1977 on four charges of indecent exposure.

The next conviction was in August 1987 when Smith received three months for indecent assault. This was followed by another indecent assault conviction at Cupar Sheriff Court in Fife in 1990 for which Smith was jailed for three years. In April 1993 Smith appeared at the High Court on a charge of assault and was sentenced to five years.

Mr Bell told the court that on Sunday afternoon on May 3 the 17-year-old student was walking her dogs when Smith stopped in his car and asked for directions. She suggested he ask in the nearest village and walked on then turned to see Smith running towards her.

He grabbed her in a neck lock, saying he didn't want to hurt her, just to feel her, and started dragging her back towards his parked car. He placed his hand over her mouth to prevent her shouting before attempting to lift her into the car. She was able to grab hold of the underside of the car and kicked out at the accused, causing him to fall backwards. When he fell she managed to get to her feet and run away.

The victim ran to a nearby farmhouse in a state of considerable distress and shock and the police were alerted.

Mr Bell said that, although the victim did not need medical treatment for any physical injury, she suffered considerable after-effects by way of shock and was undergoing a course of counselling.

After she gave police a description of the incident, they telexed details to other forces throughout Scotland and Fife police recognised the incident as being very similar to the case for which Smith had been jailed for five years.

Police discovered that Smith had been driving a silver Ford Fiesta matching the description given by the victim and had bought petrol very close to the scene of the attack. When Smith was questioned he replied: ''I'll save you some time. Yes, I did it.''