CRIMINAL profilers have thrown up vital clues in the hunt for a rapist believed to have struck twice in Brighton and Hove.

Experts from the National Crime Faculty have been helping Sussex Police shed light on the background and character of a man who subjected a student to a

horrifying one-hour assault on New Year's Day.

DNA evidence has linked the rapist to another attack on a homeless woman two years ago.

The profiles show the attacker views women

as objects and may have tried to force former girlfriends to perform sexual acts.

He is unlikely to be in a current relationship and detectives are keen to

hear from ex-girlfriends who may hold vital information in the hunt to track him down.

The profilers also believe the offender has a connection with the Brighton and Hove area through family or friends or through the social welfare system.

Det Supt Ken Probert said: "He may be claiming income support or staying

in a night shelter in the town.

"The offender has no concern at all for the well-being of women. He considers them to be merely a vehicle for sex.

Relationship

"This attitude may have been reflected in any previous relationships he has

had.

"An offender profile is

a very useful tool in

any criminal investigation because it opens up lines

of inquiry. For example,

in this instance we have approached a number of social welfare organisations and are keen to trace women who have had a relationship with him."

Profilers compare information from similar crimes, the victim and known

criminals to build up a

picture of the offender.

The movements of the 24-year-old woman, who was raped several times in the grounds of the Aldrington Day Centre in New Church Road, Hove, in the early hours of January 1, will be broadcast on BBC1's Crimewatch on Tuesday.

The victim, from Bedfordshire, was on her way home from millennium celebrations when she stopped at the Sackville Road junction to ask the rapist for directions.

Detectives are linking the attack to the rape of a 47-year-old homeless woman in New Steine Gardens, Brighton, in the early hours of February 17, 1998.

Call Hove CID on 0845 6070999 with information.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.