A man who the police described as a serial rapist, and who has at least a dozen previous convictions for sexual offences, is once again behind bars.

Police sources told THE STAR that the man has been in the custody of the St Catherine North police for about two weeks and is the subject of an investigation into at least five recent cases allegedly involving rape and indecent assault of women.

According to the police, he has been preying on women in Spanish Town and surrounding areas in recent times.

The identity of the man is being withheld pending further investigations, after which he may be charged, the police say.

Corporal Horace Young of the Area Five police said investigators are looking to speak further with victims before scheduling an identification parade.

As such, the police are urging women who may have fallen victims to such acts recently to come forward and assist in the investigations.

sexual predators

THE STAR was also informed that the man's previous convictions were in a five- year span, from 1999.

At a recent divisional conference, St Andrew North top cop, Superintendent Assan Thompson, admitted that sexual predators were of great concern but promised the police would be relentless in catching the offenders.

This, he said, warranted a stronger Centre for Investigation of Sexual Offences and Child Abuse (CISOCA).

"We've strengthened CISOCA, new persons have joined the staff there and we've started an aggressive approach to go after persons who are involved in committing sexual offences so, a warning (to offenders), we will be coming after you," Superintendent Thompson said.