Police release first picture of night stalker sex attacker

The first detailed image of a serial sex attacker dubbed the "Night Stalker" was released today.

Police issued an artist's impression of the sex offender and burglar as it was revealed they are now investigating 108 cases where he has targeted pensioners.

All his offences have been committed in south-east London over an 18-year period.

The black-clad intruder, who targets elderly victims living alone, broke into five homes last month in Lee, Downham and Norwood. He is thought to have sexually assaulted two people in Downham and Norwood.

One woman was able to give a description to police so they could produce the artist's impression. Previously they could only issue an e-fit of man wearing a balaclava.

It was originally thought he had not attacked anyone for three years, but detectives now say he also struck four times in November last year.

In each attack he cuts phone wires and disables light bulbs so his features cannot be seen clearly through his balaclava. Police believe he may live abroad at times.

Victims have ranged from 68 to 93 - and 10 were men, one of whom was sexually assaulted. A £40,000 reward is on offer for the Night Stalker's capture and profilers say he is a gerontophile.

Detective Superintendent Simon Morgan, who is leading the investigation, said: "We are cautious about the offence from which this image has been generated as it has not been linked forensically, but the manner in which it was committed is consistent with the way he behaves.

"Despite not having a forensic link I feel it is important that we release this image. A vulnerable section of society has been terrorised for 18 years and this gives us a real chance of identifying an offender.

"The victim states he is a light-skinned black man, with markings on the side of the face. These could be a number of things such as freckles, scarring or spots. I ask people to be confident of calling the police to give us names. We have a DNA profile of the offender and therefore anyone who is innocent can easily be discounted."

Police have established the Night Stalker is black with Caribbean origins. Mr Morgan said the man is about 40 years old, between 5ft10in and 6ft2in with a slim athletic build, softly spoken and polite. Police believe he is using, or has used a motorcycle, has a connection to Brighton and that his mother died in 2000.

Detectives also said he has a strong links to the Honor Oak and Forest Hill areas. Anyone with information should call the incident room on 020 8721 4640 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.