A family liaison officer from Thames Valley Police has revealed her role in helping the victims of a brutal rapist and their families.

The officer, who has not been named for operational reasons, said she came into the investigation a week after the attacks in Bracknell in May.

Up to 120 police a day on hunt for rapist

Terry Michael Bryant, 41, of Waverley Road in Tottenham, London, was given an indeterminate sentence for public protection at Reading Crown Court on Friday, October 15.

Last month he admitted 14 charges, including kidnap, rape and a sexual assault on a female aged over 13.

Bryant was detained following a major investigation by Bracknell police.

Schools in the borough had been on high alert while officers worked to find the serial attack

The family liaison officer said: “This deployment was different due to the fact that most of my experience has been dealing with unexplained deaths or murder cases.

“This investigation involved three victims/witnesses, all of whom were young teenagers.

“The offences inflicted on the girls were as bad as it gets next to murder.

“The deployment was also extremely demanding because the offender was still unknown; there was a lot of evidence needed from the girls, including a search for the location where two of the offences were committed.

“The investigation itself was fast moving and there was the need to ensure all victims and their families were updated throughout.

“In addition, I facilitated meetings between a Crimewatch producer and the families when there was talk of running an appeal prior to Bryant being arrested.”

Terry Bryant's victims' feared for lives in terrifying ordeals

She added she simply could not imagine the “fear and sheer terror” Bryant inflicted on his victims, but said it was important all three of the families involved were communicated with effectively.

The officer described the girls as “lovely” and “truly amazing”.

She said: “I have been left astounded by the way in which they have coped as victims as well as their outstanding attention to detail as witnesses.

“The families have also been strong.

'Everyone came together to catch ‘dangerous man’

“This case is every parent’s nightmare and it has been just as important to support them.

“They have had a lot to deal with, yet they have always facilitated the needs of the investigation and my visits.”

She added that Bryant’s guilty plea resulted in a “mixture of feelings” because she knew he was only pleading guilty due to the overwhelming evidence.

But she said she was glad in the end because it meant the victims and their parents did not have to go through a trial.