Amelie killer 'is serial attacker'

The killer of French student Amelie Delagrange is a serial attacker who has struck at least six times, Scotland Yard has admitted.

Detectives believe he is a hammer-wielding maniac who targets blondes.

Two of his suspected victims have been killed - Ms Delagrange and student Marsha McDonnell, who was attacked yards from her home in Hampton last year. Now detectives are examining possible "near miss" attacks across London.

Police say the latest linked attack took place just four days after the murder last month of Ms Delagrange, 22, who was struck on the back of the head as she walked home late at night across Twickenham Green.

A 28-year-old woman was also struck on the head as she walked alone in Hounslow Road, Feltham. She was found unconscious on the pavement.

A Scotland Yard spokeswoman said six assaults were being linked because of their close location in south-west London and because of "similarities in the times, the nature of the venues, and the mode of attack".

In April, Edel Harbison, a 34-year-old accountant, survived an horrific attack near Twickenham Green.

Gap year student Ms McDonnell, 19, was battered over the head three times with a "hammer-like" blunt instrument in February last year. Accounts clerk Dawn Brunton, 36, survived a similar assault in Hatton Cross in November last year and in January of the same year a 17-year-old was also targeted.