Pensioner Sentenced to 15 Years for 1985 Rape Solved by DNA Evidence
A 75-year-old pensioner has been imprisoned for 15 years after being convicted of a brutal rape that occurred over four decades ago. David Hill attacked a woman at knifepoint in an underground car park in Sheffield on September 7, 1985, as she left Josephine’s nightclub in the early hours.
Cold Case Breakthrough Leads to Arrest
The case remained unsolved for years until a cold case review in 2021, where scientists conducted a speculative DNA search on a sample from the victim's clothing. This led to a full DNA profile matching Hill, whose DNA had been added to the national database after a separate public order offence arrest.
Hill was arrested in March 2022 but claimed he could not recall his whereabouts from 37 years prior, despite admitting to visiting the nightclub and engaging in casual sexual encounters at the time.
Victim's Voice Heard in Court Despite Her Death
The victim passed away in the late 1990s, but a judge allowed her original statement from 1985 to be used as hearsay evidence in court. Caroline Deacon, senior Crown prosecutor for CPS Yorkshire and Humberside, described this as a key legal victory, ensuring the victim's account was heard after decades.
Medical history showing the victim discussed the rape's impact with professionals was also presented to the jury, highlighting the long-term trauma.
Family Believes Attack Contributed to Early Death
In a moving statement read in court, the victim's brother expressed his belief that the rape contributed to her early death, adding emotional weight to the prosecution's case. The family has waited years for justice, with the victim not living to see her attacker jailed.
Police and Former Officers Praised for Persistence
Dave Stopford, head of the major incident review team at South Yorkshire Police, emphasized that securing justice for the victim and providing answers for her loved ones was their priority from the outset. He thanked friends, relatives, and former officers for their crucial evidence.
Former Detective Chief Superintendent Robert Varey, who led the initial 1985 investigation, stated that the case stayed with him throughout his 40-year career. He expressed delight at the conviction, noting the importance of witness testimony from the victim's close friends and family members decades later.
This case underscores the advancements in forensic science and the enduring pursuit of justice, even when victims are no longer alive to testify.
