Rail worker charged with series of‘trophy rapes’ of young girls and women

A 48-YEAR-OLD rail worker was last night charged in connection with the “trophy rapist” sex attacks on young girls and women across the south east of England.

Antoni Imiela, from Appledore, near Ashford, Kent, was charged with nine counts of rape, said Detective Superintendent Mark Warwick, of Thames Valley Police, the acting head of Operation Orb.

The attacker has struck in London, Kent, Berkshire, Surrey and Hertfordshire, prompting the forces involved to launch the biggest manhunt since the Yorkshire Ripper.

Imiela was arrested in his car at a police road block on the M20 near Ashford on Monday night and had been held for questioning at Folkestone police station.

He is due to appear before Canterbury magistrates tomorrow morning.

The charges relate to:

The rape of a 10-year-old girl in Ashford, Kent, on November 15 2001.

The rape of a 12-year-old girl in Bracknell, Berks, on July 1.

The rape of a 30-year-old woman in Earlswood, Surrey, on July 11.

The rape of a 26-year-old woman on Putney Common, south west London, on July 11.

The rape of an 18-year-old woman in Woking, Surrey, on July 16.

The rape of a 52-year-old woman on Wimbledon Common, south west London, on August 6.

The rape of a 26-year-old woman in Epsom, Surrey, on August 7.

The rape of a 13-year-old girl near Woking on September 6.

The rape of a 14-year-old girl in Stevenage, Herts, on October 25.