He went off radar for three months but police wouldn’t issue warning snap

he tried to break into student flats in Pilrig, home to undergraduates at nearby Edinburgh University.

Police sought a Sexual Offences Prevention Order against McMoran within 48 hours.

It then emerged he was living in a flat 50 yards from other student flats.

Despite committing further crimes and being prone to violence, a sheriff bailed him back to the flat.

In April last year, McMoran assaulted the owner of a nearby coffee shop and, in June, stole a knife from a restaurant before disappearing.

Court papers show he left Edinburgh around July 3. Police data suggests he wasn’t registered as missing until August. When police found him at his mum’s house in Belfast, he was jailed for six weeks, then sent back to Scotland to face other charges.

At Edinburgh Sheriff Court last November, McMoran was jailed for 26 months. In February, he was jailed for a further 25 months for assault, threatening behaviour and a string of housebreakings and thefts. Labour’s Daniel Johnson added: “This story will horrify people across Scotland. Serious questions need to be asked about how to handle these cases more effectively.”

A Police Scotland spokesman said: “Consideration is given during every investigation as to whether a public appeal is required and the decision whether or not to proceed must be proportionate to ensure public safety, while not creating fear and alarm .”

An Edinburgh City Council spokesman said: “We have a robust procedure in place to deal with the housing of registered sex offenders.

“Our procedures include a risk assessment, before an individual is housed, ongoing supervision arrangements and regular review.”