TWO young Hampshire women have spoken of their narrow escape from the clutches of multiple rapist Richard Baker.

Denise Bryant and Kelly Kempster both became friendly with the muscular British DJ - described at his Old Bailey trial yesterday as one of the worst sex offenders this century - while on holiday in Torremolinos in Spain, where he was working as a bar tout.

The pair, both from Shirley in Southampton, swapped kisses and addresses with handsome, tanned Baker as they enjoyed their first real summer break abroad.

Today they spoke of their revulsion as Baker of Bodmin, Cornwall was convicted of three rapes, two indecent assaults, an attempted indecent assault and affray.

He attacked at least 12 women but detectives believe he may have claimed up to 100 victims. More women are expected to come forward, and a hot-line has been set up.

It also emerged today that Baker could have Aids - he has refused to take a blood test since his arrest five months ago.

The court was told how he calmly preyed on lone women by grabbing them around the throat from behind. The terrified victims were told if they reported their ordeal he would return. The first the Hampshire women knew of the 34-year-old's darker side was when they saw reports of his sickening sex crimes in the national media.

Denise, 19, a newspaper promotions assistant with the Daily Echo, said: "My friend Kelly realised it was him when she saw his picture.

"She rang me up and told me to look. I couldn't believe it."

She added: "We went to Torremolinos with a group of friends in 1997 and then again last year and he was working there both times. It was the first time I had been abroad.

"He was really friendly the first time we were there. I thought he was lovely, he was tanned, and muscley and there were always lots of women hanging around him."

Kelly, 20, a stylist with Shirley hairdressers Scissor Style 2, said "When I saw his face on TV I just flipped. I ran to look at my photo album and sure enough it was him. Now all I want is to see him locked up for what he's done."

"When we saw him in 1997 he was always smiling. He could charm anybody. Where other touts would just talk to people for five minutes he would spend half an hour talking.

"He was so good looking he always had girls interested in him, he could have had his pick," she added.

Both girls posed for photos with smiling Baker and chatted with him practically every night of their two-week stay. He even gave Kelly a scrap of paper with his address on it and pleaded for her to write.

"He gave me his Spanish address and asked me to send a copy of the picture and to keep in touch. I'm just glad I lost it now."

But on the second holiday, last summer, when the pair returned to the resort and met him again, they noticed a change.

"We saw him and went up to him and asked 'Do you remember us'", said Denise.

"He just said 'oh, yeah', he seemed really moody," she added.

"We realised later that that was the time he was attacking the women in Britain. It does make me think how lucky we were," said Kelly.

There is no question of either of the women having an intimate relationship with Baker. Detectives were continuing inquiries in the UK, Ireland and Spain and a special helpline 0800 389 2873 has been set up, with specially trained teams waiting to receive calls.

It is understood several women have already contacted police after publication of Baker's photograph.

It was also disclosed that Baker, described as one of the worst sex offenders this century and a man with an insatiable sex craving and desire to control women, was trapped by a BBC1 Crimewatch appeal fronted by the late Jill Dando.

The disc jockey attacked 12 women aged between 15 and 35 across southern England during an eight-month period last year, the court was told.

He had denied eight of the 13 offences but was convicted by a jury of nine women and three men after eight hours and 20 minutes.

The court was told that Baker already had a rape conviction and now faced a statutory life sentence.

Recorder David Stokes QC, remanded him in custody until June 18 for a pre-sentence psychiatric report.

The judge told Baker: You have been convicted of offences of the utmost gravity and face life imprisonment.''

After the verdict Denise said: "I still can't believe it. He seemed like such a lovely guy. He turned out to be a real Jekyll and Hyde character."

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