Sex attacker strikes again

Police are investigating incidents across the South

A serial sex attacker, who is thought to have broken into 75 pensioners' homes over the last 10 years, is believed to have struck again.

A 75-year-old woman was indecently assaulted in her home in Shirley, south London, on 13 October.

It is thought her assailant is the same man who is suspected of the rape of an 84-year-old woman, also in Shirley, on 13 October 1992.

Detectives are investigating up to 75 incidents at the homes of elderly woman across south London, Surrey and Kent over the last decade.

It is our belief that this man thinks about what he does, that he is capable of being persuaded into not carrying out these acts

Detective Chief Supt Tony Crofts

The latest attack occurred three years after the previous assault.

A man broke into the woman's home at 0130 GMT and spent half-an-hour with her before making off with £60 in cash.

He discontinued his attack when his victim began talking to him about his mother.

In a previous case, another victim dissuaded the attacker from rape by asking: "What would your mother think of you?"

Police appeal

Detective Chief Superintendant Tony Crofts, who is leading the investigation, has appealed for the man to give himself up.

He said: "It is our belief that this man thinks about what he does, that he is capable of being persuaded into not carrying out these acts.

"How would he feel if somebody else had assaulted his mother or other cherished relative?"

The attacker is described as a light skinned black man, wearing trainers, a sports outfit which looks like a "catsuit" and a balaclava or baseball cap.

'Removes lightbulbs'

He is said to be well-spoken with a soft voice and a suggestion of a south London accent.

The man is being linked to three rapes - the women were aged between 82 and 88 - and 17 indecent assaults.

In four other cases he was talked out of assaulting his victims and in dozens of other break-ins he just stole money.

The attacker breaks in while the women are asleep in bed, switches off the lights at the mains, removes lightbulbs and shines a torch in his victims' faces.

Ten of the attacks have been in Shirley and Croydon and 10 in other parts of south London, including Lewisham.