A FIEND who carried out a horrific rape told his victim about a bizarre catalogue of sex secrets which police believe could still lead to his capture, three years after the attack.

Detectives investigating the Billinge Woods rape have revealed that the attacker said he was taking hormone treatment to enlarge his breasts, spoke of filming his depraved acts on video and is believed to have been wearing women's underwear.

The man spoke of carrying out a similar rape six months earlier and had a detailed knowledge of the area, which is well known as a meeting place for homosexuals.

Police believe he could strike again, although they have not ruled out that he may have been considering a sex change.

Det Chief Inspector Neil Smith released the new clues on the day TV cameras filmed a reconstruction of a rape described as the worst ever seen in Lancashire.

Police returned to a Blackburn beauty spot to help stage a reconstruction of the events leading up to a 90 minute attack on a 22-year-old woman.

The savage crime which took place three years ago in Billinge Woods will feature on the Crimewatch UK Still Unsolved programme later this month.

The woman who was walking her dog was dragged into bushes raped and subjected to a series of degrading assaults. Police who were called in to investigate the crime are hoping the renewed publicity could help them track down the rapist.

A series of bizarre notes were sent to the team investigating the rape in the wake of the crime which have helped to build up a profile of the attacker.

Police are convinced he is likely to strike again and have been monitoring sex attacks across the country.

DCI Neil Smith said: "Although it has been three years since the attack this case has never been closed.

"I think it is highly likely that this man will commit further offences and it is vital that we find the last bit of information that will lead to his arrest."

He added: "Perhaps there is a relative or a partner out there who has their suspicions and this extra information will jog their memory.

"The area where the act took place is known as a meeting pace for homosexuals and perhaps potential witnesses were afraid to come forward.

"Anybody who contacts us can be reassured they can talk to us in strictest confidence."

DCI Smith said: "This man indicated in one of the letters he wanted help and we are ready to talk to him at any time.

"The most important thing is that we find this man as soon as possible."

An actor similar in appearance to the rapist will feature in the television reconstruction.

The attacker was white, in his late 30s, 5ft 9in, stocky with a beer belly and had short grey hair.

And police are still trying to trace the owner of a maroon scooter parked close to the scene of the crime.

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