A SENIOR detective hunting one of Britain's most serious serial sex attackers has made a personal plea for him to come forward after the death of one of his victims.

An elderly woman from Orpington, who was repeatedly raped, aged 88, seven years ago, died recently.

Det Supt Simon Morgan, who is leading the investigation into four rapes and 24 indecent assaults committed across South East London since the early 1990s, said: "In 1999 he raped an 88-year-old-lady.

"She suffered a perforated bowel. Sadly, she died recently. She lived the last years of her life in constant agony because of what you did, you know this is wrong and you know this has to stop."

The Met Police is offering a reward of up to £40,000 to anyone who helps identify and prosecute the brutal burglar who attacks his elderly victims at night.

He is of Caribbean origin, probably in his late 30s, between 5ft 10ins and 6ft 2ins, of athletic build with a round face, broad nose, large lips and well spoken.

He has struck repeatedly in Orpington, Sidcup, Shirley, Croydon and Forest Hill as well as Coulsdon and Warlingham in Surrey.

Anyone with information that could help police is asked to call the Operation Minstead incident room on 020 8721 4640 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.