Net closes on serial rapist

Police are closing in on a man who has carried out at least 31 sex attacks in London and the South-East.

The serial rapist is also responsible for 170 robberies and burglaries. Officers revealed the man has been attacking elderly women in their homes for the past 12 years but until now there have been no clues to who he is.

Pioneering DNA techniques mean that detectives now know the attacker is from the West Indies. They say it is only a matter of time before they establish his identity.

Scotland Yard revealed the breakthrough as they unveiled the full catalogue of assaults and robberies carried out since 1992 on women aged between 68 and 93. In his most violent attack an 88-year-old woman was raped twice.

Officers say they have direct evidence of 84 crimes but believe the true figure will be closer to 200 sex attacks and robberies once they have completed their investigations.

Detective Superintendent Simon Morgan, leading Operation Minstead to catch the rapist, said today: "We have linked a series of attacks since October 1992.

"Every offence involves a burglary. He targets elderly women and breaks into their homes late at night and we have had reports of him stalking his potential victims to make sure they are alone."