A FORMER fire boss masked his face as he conducted a series of sex attacks on lone women a court heard today.

A jury at Manchester Crown Court heard allegations that George David Heyes, 44, of Banburgh Close, Radcliffe, had committed a series of attacks over an 18-month period.

Prosecutor Susan Klonin claimed Heyes had targeted lone women between the ages of 14 and 26, committing four of the offences within a 1,500 metre area in Heywood.

The court heard that Bolton-born Heyes had been a fireman for 22 years having joined the Brigade when he was 21.

He went on to work at the Brigade's Swinton headquarters in the communications section and had worked for a brief period as a temporary station commander at Whitefield. The Crown alleged that during 1996 into 1997 he was responsible for a number of attacks on young women.

And prosecutor Miss Klonin alleged he disguised himself during the attacks of six women. She said: "He was careful to disguise himself with a hood or hat sometimes and always a face covering. Some referred to the face covering as a bandana or scarf."

The court heard that the victims were all approached in the dark and dragged from behind near recreation grounds, church yards and school grounds. The jury was told that the defendant had admitted one rape and an indecent assault this morning after DNA forensic tests had been completed on two victims.

Miss Klonin added: "The probability of finding that match at random is in the order of one in a billion profiles."

Heyes denies the remaining charges.

Proceeding