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10/10/2006
Fresh appeal to catch serial rapist
Police searching for the country's most prolific burglar and sex offender have made a fresh appeal for information.
Operation Minstead - the operation to catch the rapist, who has preyed on elderly victims in south east London since 1990 - has been ongoing since 1998, after forensic evidence was found linking two rape offences.
Scotland Yard said that a total of 98 offences had now been linked to the same offender. Although he mainly targets elderly women, it has now been established that ten assaults on male victims were also carried out by the same offender.
The attacker has been described as a gerontophile - someone who is sexually attracted to elderly people.
The suspect is described as a black man, in his late thirties, 5ft 10ins to 6ft 2ins tall with a round face, broad nose and large lips. He is described as having a well-spoken voice and an athletic build.
Detectives believe that the suspect may be linked to the Windward Islands in the Caribbean.
They also believe that he rides a motorbike, as victims have described him as wearing motorcycle type clothing. They also believe that he has knowledge of caring for the elderly, because of the way he physically handles his victims. It is also believed that he has a religious awareness based on the fact that he once stole a set of rosary beads and declined to steal money from a church collection dish.
Police also believe that the suspect has some form of employment that provides a regular income as these offences would not provide enough money to support any lifestyle. He has also referred to the fact that his mother died in 2000.
Detective Superintendent Simon Morgan said: "This man has committed terrible offences on extremely vulnerable men and women leaving them shocked, frightened and in some cases seriously hurt. One woman who was raped twice at the age of 88 in 1999, died last month never knowing who did this to her or why.
"On behalf of her and all of the other victims I would like to appeal to this man directly and say give yourself up. Your crimes have caused such pain and misery to so many people that it has to stop. You know who you are. You know you need help. You know you have to stop."
Anyone with any information is asked to contact: 0208 721 4640 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on: 0800 555 111.
(KMcA)
Operation Minstead - the operation to catch the rapist, who has preyed on elderly victims in south east London since 1990 - has been ongoing since 1998, after forensic evidence was found linking two rape offences.
Scotland Yard said that a total of 98 offences had now been linked to the same offender. Although he mainly targets elderly women, it has now been established that ten assaults on male victims were also carried out by the same offender.
The attacker has been described as a gerontophile - someone who is sexually attracted to elderly people.
The suspect is described as a black man, in his late thirties, 5ft 10ins to 6ft 2ins tall with a round face, broad nose and large lips. He is described as having a well-spoken voice and an athletic build.
Detectives believe that the suspect may be linked to the Windward Islands in the Caribbean.
They also believe that he rides a motorbike, as victims have described him as wearing motorcycle type clothing. They also believe that he has knowledge of caring for the elderly, because of the way he physically handles his victims. It is also believed that he has a religious awareness based on the fact that he once stole a set of rosary beads and declined to steal money from a church collection dish.
Police also believe that the suspect has some form of employment that provides a regular income as these offences would not provide enough money to support any lifestyle. He has also referred to the fact that his mother died in 2000.
Detective Superintendent Simon Morgan said: "This man has committed terrible offences on extremely vulnerable men and women leaving them shocked, frightened and in some cases seriously hurt. One woman who was raped twice at the age of 88 in 1999, died last month never knowing who did this to her or why.
"On behalf of her and all of the other victims I would like to appeal to this man directly and say give yourself up. Your crimes have caused such pain and misery to so many people that it has to stop. You know who you are. You know you need help. You know you have to stop."
Anyone with any information is asked to contact: 0208 721 4640 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on: 0800 555 111.
(KMcA)
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