A RAPIST paused to cry and apologise to his victim during a horrific sex attack in Queens Park.

Richard Thomas, who police describe as an “opportunistic and predatory” sex offender, befriended his 20-year-old victim in Bolton town centre on June 8 last year.

They spent the day together, then, in the early hours of the following morning, led her through Queens Park.

Thomas, aged 22, of Kingsfold Close, Breightmet, then pushed the woman to the ground and raped her, pausing momentarily during the attack to apologise to her and cry before continuing.

Police swooped to arrest him later that day and Thomas was charged in February.

He was jailed for nine years today at Bolton Crown Court after pleading guilty to the rape and a sex attack on another victim - a teenager.

Thomas had been released on bail, but failed to turn up to a court hearing in May this year, and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

While being hunted by police, Thomas attacked his second victim, who he had befriended on Facebook and then met a party in Westhoughton.

After the party, on June 1 this year, he grabbed the 17-year-old girl by the throat as the pair walked along a ginnel off Cherwell Road and threatened to stab her if she did not have sex with him.

Thomas, aged 22, clawed at her clothes and fled after a brief struggle.

Police were called and Thomas was arrested a short time later.

Thomas attempted to befriend both victims by “acting out the charade of being gentlemanly", the court heard.

Det Con Charlotte Morgan said: “Richard Thomas is an opportunistic and predatory sex offender.

“On two occasions he led his victim to an isolated location, in the full knowledge he could carry out an attack without fear of interruption.

“These offences, allied with the fact that he committed the second attack having been charged with rape and while on the run, demonstrate an overwhelming disregard for women and the law and highlight what an unrepentant and callous individual he is.

“The physical and psychological effect upon both girls is massive and the attacks will most likely haunt them for many years.

“He clearly has no regard for women and represents a clear and significant danger."

The Crown Prosecution Service praised the two victims for coming forward and giving the accounts that allowed Thomas to be jailed.

Senior prosecutor Justin Hayhoe said: “While acting out the charade of being gentlemanly by walking them to safety after nights out, he has lured them both off the beaten track with the sole intention of overpowering them to carry out violent sexual attacks upon them."

Thomas will serve three years on licence after his release.