The second victim of the attacker, Elaine Marsh has broken her silence. Elaine, a 33 year old mother of four, said: "I decided to speak out because I am worried that he might strike again and to warn other woman to be on the alert.

"It was a terrible experience which I wouldn't want anyone else to have to go through." She has armed herself and her 16 year-old daughter Kimberley with a panic button and torch. She has not been out since the attack on December 16.

She suffered a head wound, which needed stitches, a burst eardrum and fractured thumb.

"I felt this pain in my head and I realised I had been hit. It was so painful and I fell down. He hit me again and I started screaming and I put my hand up to protect myself.

"I think he hit me again but I'm not sure how many times he hit me. I continued to scream and when I realised he wasn't hitting me any more I shouted out."

Her glasses had been knocked off and she staggered to her feet, feeling dizzy and eventually stumbled across to Broomhill post officer where the sub postmaster, Michael Wilson, took her home.

Elaine's husband, 41 year-old Kevin Marsh said their two small sons Jordan, six and seven year-old James, has seen their mum covered in blood and was extremely distressed.

"They're getting over it a bit now, but at first they were worried whether the man would come to the house.

"This attack has taken our freedom away. We all feel violated. We used to enjoy walking in the park now we can't."

Elaine had not been out apart from visiting the doctor and to hospital since the attack And she was still not fit for work

The first victim has spoken of her 'relief' she is not a target. Pregnant Jenny Harper said: "I thought the man was after me for some reason.

"It's still very frightening, because somebody could be out there trying to get women and he needs to be caught."

Sub-postmaster Michael Wilson, said: "Everybody is very nervous and nobody is going out after dark." He is especially worried for the safety of his wife and two sons. I never let them go out at night," he added. "But it is not a bad neighbourhood round here."

Heidi Westbrook, 26, who lives in Mannville Road, walked through Lund Park alone the same night as the latest attack. She said: "It does make you very wary - even going to the shop and walking the dog. You can't even see into the park on a dark night."

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