A victim of a crazed knife attacker spoke for the first time today, saying: "I'm glad he's dead."

Rashid Kausmally's two-month reign of terror in Brighton and Hove ended when he committed suicide in Lewes Prison before police had a chance to charge him.

One of his victims, Lisa, had a knife thrust to her stomach by Kausmally. She said today: "He was a coward to take the easy way out and commit suicide.

"At first I felt some regret that he would not be going to court and prison. But then I thought of his rape victim and all the others, including myself, who would have had the ordeal of testifying at his trial. His death at least has saved us from that."

She was speaking as police revealed the full details of the resources used to catch Kausmally, who was responsible for a rape and a string of knifepoint attacks and robberies on women.

Operation Tank cost £50,000 and was brought to an abrupt close last month when Kausmally killed himself in the prison's hospital wing.

Lisa, a 20-year-old Sussex University student, said she would never forget Kausmally's face from the night of her attack. She said: "He stared at me. His eyes were black and piercing."

She was outside the Quadrant pub in Queen's Road waiting for a friend when he grabbed her and pushed the craft knife to her stomach, saying: "Scream and I will kill you."

He tried to pull her into adjoining Air Street but she cried for help and he fled, taking her mobile phone.

Lisa said: "I was really shocked and felt so sick I could hardly speak."

Two weeks later Kausmally raped a 26-year-old hotel receptionist in Queensbury Mews, Brighton. Lisa said: "I knew then I had escaped something much more serious."

She said: "I don't suppose I will ever completely forget what happened to me but neither will I forget the care and love I received from my family and friends, and the police."

She paid special tribute to Brighton detective constables Gary Edwards and Dave Williamson.

Lisa said: "Everyone was wonderful to me. I am just glad it is all over."