A Ferndale man charged with sexually assaulting, beating and robbing a 76-year-old woman twice in three weeks, was paroled last year after serving five years in prison for convictions on similar charges, court records show.

A District Court judge ordered William Anthony Burgess, 34, of the 100 block of Linden Avenue, held without bond yesterday during a bail review hearing in the most recent case.

Police arrested Mr. Burgess on Saturday after he returned to the 76-year-old woman's Ferndale home at 2:15 a.m. for the third time and tried to pry a window open with a pitchfork.

The woman, who told police she had been afraid to report the two earlier attacks, called Mr. Burgess by name and after he ran away, called 911.

On June 29, 1990, Mr. Burgess was paroled from the Jessup prerelease unit after serving five years of a seven-year sentence for burglarizing, beating and robbing an 85-year-old Ferndale woman in her home and attempting to rape a 32-year-old Ferndale woman on Dec. 6, 1985, court records show.

On Dec. 4, a warrant was issued charging him with violating his parole after he was arrested and did not appear in court on charges of resisting arrest, disorderly conduct and disturbing the peace.

His trial was scheduled for Oct. 16.