MORE than 100 fibres matching those found on a serial rape suspect's clothing were discovered on one of his victims, a jury was told today.

Maidstone Crown Court heard how distinctive orange, pink and yellow/orange fibres matching those from Antoni Imiela's work clothing and curtains in his home at Appledore, near Ashford, were found on grey and black sweatshirts seized by the police.

Identical microscopic threads were found on all but one of his alleged victims' clothes in varying quantities.

In one case, that of a 10-year-old girl said to have been abducted and abused at knifepoint by Mr Imiela in Birmingham, 112 separate fibres were found by forensic experts.

Susan Cheshire, from the Forensic Science Service, said there was extremely strong support that these had been transferred by Mr Imiela.

In two other cases she said there was very strong support that the 49-year-old railway worker was involved and in connection with the remaining charges, including the rape of a 10-year-old girl in Ashford, moderately strong support.

The jury was told the tiny strands matched an orange works jacket and orange sleeveless jacket found in Mr Imiela's Citroen Xantia car. The pink fibres matched curtains taken from his lounge during police examinations.

Miss Cheshire said: "Neither of those fabrics one would have normally expected to find in one single source. The more different fabrics matching (on the clothing) the stronger the evidence."

Rebecca Poulet QC, defending, argued the pink curtain material could have come from a number of factories across the country and a large population of railway workers wore the high-visibility orange jackets.

Mr Imiela, of Heathside, Appledore, denies nine charges of rape, one of attempted rape, indecent assault and kidnap between November 2001 and November 2002.

The trial continues.