TOP COP Paul Astbury has branded serial rapist Nicholas Edwards a Jekyll and Hyde character who lulled his victims into a false sense of security before brutally raping them.

TOP COP Paul Astbury has branded serial rapist Nicholas Edwards a Jekyll and Hyde character who lulled his victims into a false sense of security before brutally raping them.

Detective Sergeant Astbury, from Bromley CID, said he fully expects the floodgates to open and many more victims to come forward.

He said: 'From what we know, Edwards raped a woman once every two years. We really believe there will be many, many more coming forward after this trial.'

Edwards, 39, who used to live in High Wycombe, has been jailed for life after being nailed by the evidence of two brave victims from High Wycombe in a landmark case.

They were among five women allowed by the judge to tell jurors about their ordeals, at the hands of Edwards, even though their cases against Edwards were finished.

Det Sgt Astbury explained that it had been a long and arduous task catching Edwards because he was a very clever man.

He said: 'Each time he was tried for a rape, he became aware of how to cover his tracks. He was actually working out his defence before he attacked.'

He added: 'He is an extremely clever man who managed to cover his tracks and integrate himself into the community throughout his 19-year reign of terror.

'He is very a very plausible man and seems very nice and sincere on the surface.'

But the police officer explained how Edwards would appear to be very normal then turn into a madman.

He described him as a Jekyll and Hyde character.

He praised the courage of the women who came forward to give evidence against Edwards and said several of them are still being treated for depression and have to live with the thought of what he did to them for the rest of their lives.

He said: 'Each lady had dealt with what has happened to them differently.

'Not many days go by when Edwards is not far from their minds.'