Rape suspect linked to NINE sex attacks on the same day

Joseph McCann, 34, has now been linked to the rape of an 11-year-old boy and a 71-year-old woman

Joseph McCann, 34, has now been linked to the rape of an 11-year-old boy and a 71-year-old woman

The rape suspect arrested in the early hours of this morning has been linked to nine other assaults within hours yesterday including attacks against a boy, 11, and a woman, 71.

Joseph McCann, 34, was tracked down by police after a six-hour manhunt which began when he allegedly forced two teenagers into a car in Congleton, Cheshire.

A quick-thinking taxi driver who picked up McCann at around 8.30pm said he recognised the fugitive who was 'acting shifty' and drove him towards police, ignoring the passenger's instructions.

The driver, who wishes to remain anonymous, said: 'I realised who he was from the way he was acting and saying certain things like not to go down routes.

'He was hiding his face and ducking down and told me, "Whatever happens don’t go down the A34".'

The brave driver decided to take the road in the hope of finding police officers and left his hazard lights on.

He said: 'Further up the road, I saw a police officer talking to another member of the public on the side of the road so I flashed them.

Graphic shows McCann's trail of terror after being released in error in February

Graphic shows McCann's trail of terror after being released in error in February

A brave taxi driver said he picked up the fugitive and recognised him and tried to drive towards police officers ignoring the passenger's instructions. The taxi is pictured here, illuminated by blue police lights, after McCann allegedly broke free and ran into a field where he was later cornered and hid up a tree

A brave taxi driver said he picked up the fugitive and recognised him and tried to drive towards police officers ignoring the passenger's instructions. The taxi is pictured here, illuminated by blue police lights, after McCann allegedly broke free and ran into a field where he was later cornered and hid up a tree

'I pulled up and he started to punch me in the face, the officer jumped in the car.

'I put on the child locks but he kept pulling at the door and it opened. 

'He started fighting with the officer and he picked up a broken bit of glass off the floor and ran off into the fields.

'We ran after him but we blocked the main road off.  

After he was arrested in the early hours, the Metropolitan Police have started questioning McCann in relation to other offences around England, including the rape of a 71-year-old woman and an 11-year-old boy.

DCI Katherine Goodwin from the Met's Homicide and Major Crime Command said: 'Between Sunday, 21 April and Saturday, 5 May McCann is suspected to have been involved in a number of attacks across different parts of the country. 

'I can confirm he is now being investigated for offences committed in Cheshire, Manchester and Lancashire in addition to London and Hertfordshire.

'Detectives from the Met continue to lead on this investigation and are working very closely with policing counterparts where he is suspected to have carried out further offences. These offences will be jointly investigated.

'At this early stage, there are believed to be nine further victims following the attacks in Hertfordshire and London. 

'These attacks were grotesque and horrifying. These victims are now being supported by specialist officers. Further details concerning specific offences will become clearer in due course.

'I would urge any other victims to come forward. We also need to hear from anyone who has been approached or been in contact with McCann.'

Officers issued an appeal to trace 34-year-old Joseph McCann

McCann was arrested in connection with the abduction and rape of two women

Officers arrested Joseph McCann, 34, in connection with the abduction and rape of two women but he has since been linked to a rampage of sexual violence yesterday

In addition to the three rapes in London and Watford in late April, McCann is now being questioned over four further attacks including two rapes and a sexual assault in and around Manchester yesterday

In addition to the three rapes in London and Watford in late April, McCann is now being questioned over four further attacks including two rapes and a sexual assault in and around Manchester yesterday

On Sunday, 5 May, detectives were informed that McCann had been located in the Congleton area of Cheshire. He was arrested in the early hours of this morning and taken into police custody. 

The Ministry of Justice launched an urgent review after it emerged McCann may have been wrongly released from prison in February.

He was freed automatically half-way through a three-year sentence for burglary and theft - but should have gone before a parole board, it is understood.

McCann is believed to have been subject to a life-long licence after he was released from prison in February 2017 having served 10 years of an indeterminate sentence for public protection for an aggravated burglary.

It comes after footage emerged of McCann stopping for petrol while it is believed he already had his first victim in his car.

Officers suspect he approached his first victim at about 3.30am on April 21 before driving her around for six hours and then sexually assaulting her. The footage shows Mr McCann park at a BP garage just after 9am that day.

A young woman is seen sitting in the the passenger seat of his blue Ford Mondeo in a video obtained by The Sun.

The fugitive can be seen talking to the woman after pulling up and getting out of the car before he puts on a baseball cap.

Hertfordshire Police are reviewing the CCTV, which shows him walking into the garage, where he asks a worker for cashback. He is told to use the in-store ATM but is unable to do so because it is not working.

Footage shows suspected serial rapist Joseph McCann stroll into a petrol station in Watford while an alleged victim sits in his car

Footage shows suspected serial rapist Joseph McCann stroll into a petrol station in Watford while an alleged victim sits in his car 

McCann pictured in the petrol station after he allegedly snatched a woman at knife-point in Watford

McCann pictured in the petrol station after he allegedly snatched a woman at knife-point in Watford 

McCann seen trying to use the cash machine. He was the subject of a manhunt that ended in his arrest in Cheshire

McCann seen trying to use the cash machine. He was the subject of a manhunt that ended in his arrest in Cheshire 

Timeline of abductions and rapes believed to be linked to McCann

1. Sunday, April 21, 3.30am. A woman, aged in her twenties, was abducted and raped in a car in Watford, Herts.

2. Thursday, April 25, 12.30am. A woman, aged in her twenties, was abducted and raped in a car in Chingford, London.

3. Thursday, April 25, 12.15pm. A woman, aged in her twenties, was abducted and raped in a car in Edgware, London. 

4. Sunday, May 5, 8am. A teenage girl and an 11-year-old boy were raped in Haslingden, Lancs. In the same incident A woman aged in her thirties was falsely imprisoned.

5. Sunday, May 5, 1.30pm. A woman aged 71 was abducted and raped in Bury, Manchester. 

6. Sunday, May 5, 3.30pm. Two 13-year-old boys and a 13-year-old girl were abducted in Heywood,  Manchester. The 13-year-old girl was sexually assaulted. 

7. Sunday, May 5, 6.30pm. Two 14-year-old girls were forced into a car in Congleton, Cheshire. They were not sexually assaulted.

On Monday, May 6 Joseph McCann was arrested in the early hours of the morning. 

McCann was arrested this morning after a manhunt.

Police detained him following a standoff with officers overnight after

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