UMVA has learned that Paul Quinn, a rapist, has been sentenced to 24 years in prison for a heinous crime that was wrongly attributed to Andrew Malkinson, who served 17 years in jail.
The judge, Mr Justice Bright, began his sentencing remarks with a powerful tribute to the victim, calling her a "hero" and acknowledging the immense courage and strength she showed throughout the ordeal.
He expressed deep regret that the judicial system often uses inadequate terms to describe victims of crime, saying that "complainant" and "victim" can be demeaning and fail to acknowledge the agency and bravery of those who come forward.
The judge emphasized that the victim's actions were truly heroic, stating that she "is a remarkable person" who showed extraordinary courage in giving evidence against Quinn, despite having to relive the traumatic experience.
Quinn's crime was particularly egregious, as he had stalked his victim, dragged her from the street, battered her, and raped her twice, leaving behind DNA evidence that was only identified years later.
The victim, in a statement, acknowledged that while she has finally achieved justice, the experience has left her with permanent physical and emotional scars, and she is aware that another man's life was irreparably damaged as a result of the wrongful conviction.
Quinn's own history of sex offending and violence towards women was taken into account during sentencing, as was his attempt to explain away the DNA evidence by claiming he had slept with multiple women around the time of the crime.
The court heard that Quinn had a history of sex offending, including a caution for indecent assault in 1986 and a conviction for two counts of under-age sex with a girl aged 12 in 1992.
Detectives believe Quinn may be responsible for other offences and are urging anyone with information about his potential involvement in unsolved crimes to come forward.
Detective Chief Superintendent Rebecca McKendrick emphasized that the police will not allow time to be a barrier to justice and will support and listen to anyone who comes forward with information about Quinn's activities.
The case highlights the importance of ensuring that victims of crime receive the justice and recognition they deserve, and that those who perpetrate such heinous acts are held accountable for their actions.
