Net closes on serial rapist

A ground breaking DNA technique has given police a breakthrough in the hunt for a serial sex attacker who they have been hunting for more than 12 years.

The man is linked to a string of 200 crimes, including more than 30 rapes or assaults on vulnerable elderly women in London and the South-East.

Now a new procedure known as "familial testing" has given detectives their biggest lead in tracing the attacker.

Using DNA recovered from the scene of the assaults, officers have narrowed down his ethnic origin - and believe they are close to finding where he was born.

Detectives say the attacker is a black man originally from the West Indies.

Detective Superintendent Simon Morgan, who is leading the investigation known as Operation Minstead, said: "After 12 years we feel this is a major breakthrough and are confident that the new DNA results should lead us to the suspect or even his relatives.

"We have travelled all over the world comparing DNA samples and databases without success but we believe that the scientific advancements will allow us to discover exactly which island in the West Indies the suspect's ancestors are from and even what town."

He added: " Every offence involves a burglary. His modus operandi is very particular. He targets elderly woman 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."

The assailant has struck in towns across south-east London and Home Counties areas such as Croydon, Warlingham, Forest Hill, East Dulwich and Sidcup since

1992.

He targets the elderly women's

homes, usually enters properties through rear windows during the night, wearing a balaclava, and spends time with them before attacking them.

Scotland Yard today revealed he is suspected of 31 rapes or assaults and another 170 robberies or break-ins.

Since 1992 he has assaulted women aged between 68 and 93. His most violent attack was in August 1999 when he raped an 88-year-old woman twice.

The familial testing technique has already enabled police to secure the conviction of a man who killed a lorry driver when he threw a brick through his windscreen.

Surrey Police tracked down Craig Harman after tracing him through a close relative with a criminal record.

It has also been used in the investigation into the murder of the boy known as Adam whose torso was found in the Thames. Using bone samples, scientists were able to pinpoint Adam's home country as Nigeria.

Detective Supt Morgan said the attacker was unusual because he liked to spend several hours talking with his victims and enjoys the contacts with elderly women.

In nearly every case, the attacker usually uses a tool from a nearby shed to break in through a rear window. He then cuts telephone lines, turns off electricity or removes light bulbs.

A number of his victims have been woken up by the intruder appearing in their bedrooms and shining a torch at them.

He wears a balaclava and a black all in one outfit which detectives now believe is likely to be motorbike leathers. He is described as an athletic man aged around 35.

Forensic psychologists have described the attacker as a " gerontophile" - someone who is obsessed with the elderly.

Police are offering a £20,000 reward for anyone with information leading to the arrest and conviction of attacker and

Det Supt Morgan added: "Anyone who thinks they might know the identity of the attacker can call us in the incident room on 0208 217 6536 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555