THE man who brutally raped a girl of 10 in Ashford last year has carried out at least eight other similar sex attacks in the South East, police have revealed.

The man failed in his last attempt, in Ripley Green, Surrey, because he was bitten by the woman’s dog.

Detectives from Kent, Surrey, Thames Valley and the Metropolitan force have now released a new description of the wanted man. They are now convinced the attacker followed his brutal rape of the girl on Ashford's Stanhope estate with another assault on July 1 in Bracknell and a further seven attacks.

Det Chief Insp Colin Murray of Kent Police said: "This man is highly dangerous and needs to be caught as soon as possible."

The attacks have taken place in urban areas, each on a week day and each time the victim has been grabbed from behind and taken to undergrowth.

Police have revealed the man used similar phrases and made threats to the women and girls. In each case clothing or property has been snatched from the scene and the attacker has told the women not to look at him.

The rapist is described as white, aged 30 to 50, with short dark hair which is going grey. He is of medium or stocky build, 5ft 5ins to 5ft 10ins tall, with tanned, leathery skin.

Victims have described a deep, gruff voice and possibly a North East accent. There has been a smell of cigarettes or alcohol on his breath and one witness said there were scars or noticeable blemishes on his face.

Anyone with information should call the incident room on 0845 6018109 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.