HOW many more women has Lloyd Phillips assaulted or raped?

That was the question being asked by police chiefs today as they made a plea for other women who may have been subjected to his predatory behaviour to come forward.

The 48-year-old’s calculated and prolonged sex attack on a woman who once thought of him as a friend was described as a despicably cruel breach of her trust.

Officers leading the investigation into Phillips say they do not believe she was the first.

Superintendent Stuart Murray told the Daily Echo: “This was a despicable and premeditated assault on a young woman who thought Phillips was her friend and who trusted him. It is clear that Phillips intended to rape his victim and this was a cruel and cynical abuse of her trust.

“We think it is highly likely there are other victims who have been attacked by Phillips in this way.

“He used his shop and concert ticket business to befriend young people, often at vulnerable times in their lives, and we believe there are other girls he took away with him for the night on the pretence of taking them to a concert.”

Supt Murray added: “We know that he gave a pill to his victim in this case and that she was left completely incapacitated and vulnerable to his assault.

“The level of planning involved, his behaviour towards his victim and his casual demeanour afterwards lead us to believe he has done this before.

“I know how difficult it can be to report that you've been sexually assaulted, but I appeal to anyone who has been assaulted by Phillips to come forward and talk to us.”

He added: “Even if you don’t want to make a formal complaint we can put you in touch with organisations that can help and support you.

“If you are afraid to talk to us because you took drugs then please be assured we will not judge you or treat you as a criminal – we are only interested in investigating sex offences committed by Phillips.”

Anyone with information or who feels they have been a victim of Phillips is asked to contact the Operation Resolve team at Southampton police on 101.