DJ guilty of raping three women

A DISC jockey convicted yesterday of being one of Britain's most prolific rapists is being investigated for a further series of sex assaults, some of which involved drugging his victims.

Richard Baker, 34, of Bodmin, Cornwall, faces a life sentence after being found guilty at the Old Bailey of three rapes, one attempted rape, two indecent assaults, one attempted indecent assault, and causing an affray. Baker sexually assaulted 12 women in the south of England during a seven month period last year and had previously been convicted for raping a 19-year-old in 1986.

Under new laws, a second serious sexual offence carries an automatic life term, although the judge has asked for psychiatric reports before Baker is sentenced.

Detectives yesterday appealed for further victims to come forward as details emerged of at least three other rape allegations made against Baker while he worked as a disc jockey in Spain.

Three young Swedish women claim they were raped last year by Baker in the Spanish resort of Torremolinos after being sedated, almost certainly with the so-called "date rape drug", Rohypnol. The tranquilliser is odourless and colourless and leaves the victim with few inhibitions and little memory of their experiences.

Baker told Spanish police the women had consented to having sex. He was released due to lack of evidence.

Described in court as a "control freak", he showed no remorse towards the 12 women he terrorised. The court heard that he picked on lone women who were out late at night, grabbing them around the throat from behind and putting them in a state of terror by threatening to rape or kill them.

The attacks took place between May and December last year in Southend, Brighton, and the London districts of St John's Wood, Whitechapel and Hampstead. The victims were aged from 15 to 35.

His youngest victim was raped in August in a car park in Southend. A month later he attempted to assault a 16-year-old in the same town. A few hours later he indecently assaulted a 21-year-old and then drove to North London and raped a 26-year-old croupier.

He was caught at Heathrow airport attempting to fly to Spain: his brother had tipped off the police after recognising Baker from a description on a trailer for the BBC-TV Crimewatch programme.

During his trial Baker admitted sexually assaulting the women but denied raping them. In court yesterday seven of Baker's victims sighed and smiled as the jury returned their unanimous verdicts.

Commander Paddy Tom-kins, the Metropolitan police officer in charge of the inquiry, said that he believed Baker was "one of the most prolific sex offenders Britain has seen".

He urged anyone who thinks she may have been attacked by Baker to telephone a special helpline on 0800 389 2873. He said that a number of women had already been in contact.

Baker was remanded to Belmarsh prison. He will be sentenced next month.