THE sex beast who brutally raped a 22-year-old woman may have struck before, detectives revealed today.

Police hunting the maniac said he told his terrified victim that he committed an offence six months ago.

Detectives also said the offender told the woman that he wore ladies underwear and that his wife watched him dress up.

Detective Constable Christine Fletcher was today interviewing the traumatised victim, who was raped at Billinge Woods in Witton Country Park, Blackburn, in broad daylight on Sunday.

DC Fletcher said: "I've spent nearly two days with her and things are slowly beginning to come back to her.

"She has been very helpful. She's from an extremely good family who are supporting her and she has many good friends as well."

More than 30 detectives are hunting the rapist.

They have recovered the victim's reading glasses which have been sent away for forensic examination.

They are still looking for her bra and knickers, dog lead and a big bunch of keys which the rapist was carrying.

Detective Chief Inspector Mick Langdon said there had been a fantastic response from the public but he warned women not to go out alone.

He said: "Regrettably although women should be able to walk freely we are advising them to keep away from secluded areas.

"The rapist said to the victim that he was on hormone therapy and he enjoyed wearing ladies' underwear.

"He also said he committed an offence six months ago.

"If what he said was true these are vital clues.

"People have been providing names and have been coming forward with lots of information.

"We have nearly pieced together everybody who was in the area at the time.

"We have had as much information as we would have got from a Crimewatch UK appeal."

Police have set up a special incident room at Blackburn police station on 51212.

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