'EVIL' Michael Podmore (pictured) is bad, not mad, according to top forensic psychologist Dr Ian Stephen.

Podmore, 39, of Risca Road, Newport, faces life in prison for the rape, torture and abuse of a terrified woman whom he held captive in his home for three weeks.

Dr Stephen, an adviser to the makers of TV hits Cracker and Prime Suspect, said: "Michael Podmore is a coward who preys on vulnerable women."

Podmore was convicted at Cardiff crown court of three counts of rape, three counts of making threats to kill, false imprisonment, attempted grievous bodily harm with intent and two counts of actual bodily harm.

He denied all the charges, saying the woman consented. But the court had also heard from other women who said they were previously attacked by Podmore.

Sentencing was adjourned to next month to determine a minimum tariff for Podmore to serve.

Dr Stephen said: "He pretends to help them, playing the therapist. He weaves a web like a spider. He lures them in and then they're trapped.

"And once they're in his power he very quickly gets to the negative bit - forcing women to do frightening and degrading things.

"Power is what it's all about. He wouldn't do this to someone who would stand up to him." Detective Sergeant Christ-ine Adams, who led the investigation team, told the Argus Podmore lost his arrogant confidence when challenged during police interviews, and would stall by asking to see a doctor.

Dr Stephen added: "He wouldn't be able to tolerate it when he's challenged by a policewoman who's not falling for his nonsense.

"I'd say he has a personality disorder rather than being psychopathic.

"He doesn't stike me as mentally ill, but he is abnormal where women are concerned. "It probably stems from something in his background that makes him dislike women. "It could be something to do with his mother or a mother-type person."

Dr Stephen believes that Podmore, at 39, is unlikely to redeem himself. "He probably doesn't see himself as being in need of treatment. He first needs to identify that what he's doing is wrong."

But Dr Stephen believes there may still be hope. "Even at this stage in his life, remorse may be a strong enough motive to make him change."