With his dark hair, chiselled features and a toothy grin, Richard Baker liked to think he could cast a spell on any woman he crossed paths with in nightclubs in English seaside towns and holiday hotspots along the Costa del Sol. But in reality, there was nothing remotely charming about Baker, in fact hiding behind the suntan and flirtatious one-liners was one of the most dangerous sexual predators in British history.
The Crimes of Richard Baker
Wannabe TV presenter Baker committed a string of 'wicked and depraved' rapes while working as a part-time DJ, moving from resort to resort in London, Essex, Sussex and Spain, hunting new victims as he played pop music in sweaty bars and clubs and spiking their drinks with Rohypnol. I sat and watched as he wept pathetic crocodile tears in the dock of the Old Bailey after a judge handed him four life sentences for vile attacks on under-age girls and women. Little did I know that just hours later I'd be confronted by the man himself in a conversation so chilling it still haunts me 40 years later.
A Prolific Predator
Baker's crimes spanned decades and multiple countries, targeting vulnerable young women and girls. His modus operandi involved gaining trust through his DJ persona, then drugging and assaulting his victims. The case highlights the dangers of predatory behaviour in nightlife settings.
For more gripping features on Britain's most prolific predators, sign up to The Crime Desk newsletter. Each week, our team brings unrivalled insight, expert analysis, and in-depth reporting on cases you can't stop thinking about. Every newsletter is packed with exclusive features, interviews, and breaking stories dominating today's headlines, delivered to your inbox every week, completely free.
