Nightmares more than a year after attack

A victim of serial rapist Antoni Imiela told how his vicious attack had plagued her dreams and ruined her life.

The woman, who was 26 at the time, said the rape in woodland near Epsom, had "changed everything".

"I can't really describe what I think of him," she said. "I can't believe that someone could do that, and to innocent children as well. I really can't understand."

The woman said she had become paranoid since the attack in July

2002. "Even being at home, if you are by yourself and you hear things, you just start wondering if there is someone there," she said. "I'm afraid to go out from the house by myself.

"I'm okay to walk by myself in a town where there are lots of people but anywhere where it's more quiet, I wouldn't go. Also I have nightmares." On the day of the attack, she had been walking away from shops, alongside a wooded area near Epsom Common. Just after 4pm, she was pulled into a wooded area off Woodcote Side, where she was raped.

"Afterwards I went home and told my friends. I was talking to them for a while and then they phoned my boyfriend and he phoned the police.

"In the beginning I thought about it all the time. Now it's not all the time but it's still every day. I can't get a day through without thinking about it."

She said her anger increased as the attacks continued and it seemed the rapist was targeting children.

"It made me really angry and sad. I mean, even for me I was scared for my life.

"I thought he was going to kill me so I don't know with the children what was in their minds. I can't really describe what I think of him. I can't believe that someone could do that, and to innocent children as well. I really can't understand.

"He has really ruined our lives. I can't live a normal life any more and especially for the children. It was hard enough for me but for them I can't even think how it will affect them."

During her evidence in the trial, the woman told the jury that Imiela asked her to tell him that she loved him. She also said that he hit her twice and claimed he had a knife.