WA sex offender jailed indefinitely

A violent rapist who was due for release from prison at the weekend has instead been detained indefinitely after a Perth judge ruled he is a danger to the community.

Brendon Vaughan Carter, 45, committed four sexual offences against women and children between 1990 and 2011.

Carter was sentenced to four years in jail for his last offence and did not apply for parole, which meant his term would have been completed on Saturday.

But the West Australian Director of Public Prosecutions applied for Carter to be either detained indefinitely for control and treatment or released on a supervision order under the Dangerous Sex Offenders Act.

WA Supreme Court Justice Stephen Hall said on Friday Carter poses a serious danger to the community and there are no conditions that will adequately reduce the risk of him committing further sexual offences if he were released on a supervision order.

"Accordingly, the appropriate order is one of indefinite detention," Justice Hall said.

"That does not preclude the possibility that the situation may change in the future and a supervision order may become appropriate."

Justice Hall noted Carter had recently started taking antipsychotic medication, which could improve his mental health and reduce his libido, although it is too early to make an assessment.

But he said there is a "clear and sensible" plan for managing Carter in custody, which includes psychiatric treatment.