A MANHUNT was launched in May after a man kidnapped and repeatedly raped two women.

Hertfordshire Constabulary worked with the Met Police as they investigated the rape of a 21-year-old woman in Watford on Easter Sunday.

Two women were also abducted from north and east London and raped before escaping in Osborne Road, Watford.

Joseph McCann, 34, was identified as the chief suspect and arrested hiding in a tree after further attacks on a brother and sister, two girls and a pensioner in Lancashire.

An urgent review was launched over fears he might have been wrongly released from prison.

In local elections, the Liberal Democrats strengthened their grip on Watford Borough Council, winning 10 of 13 seats contested.

The party also increased their domination of Three Rivers District Council, taking four seats from the Conservatives.

The Liberal Democrats won eight while the Tories won five and Labour took one.

An inquest into the death of a woman killed in Watford town centre when she was hit by a lorry suggested confusing signs could have contributed to the incident.

Hertfordshire Coroners Court heard that motherof-six Gail Miller had not looked left or right as she crossed the road in Watford town centre on March 12, 2018.

The 59-year-old was knocked down by the lorry on the corner of Market Street and High Street and died of head injuries.

Coroner Graham Danbury said neither the driver nor Mrs Miller were aware of each other until it was too late.

And Watford’s hopes of FA Cup victory ended with a 6-0 defeat by domestic treble winners Manchester City.

The margin was the biggest since 1903 but many paid tribute to Watford fans, who stayed waving their flags.