Andrew Malkinson's Accuser Expressed Uncertainty in 2003 Rape Allegation, Court Told
A woman who accused Andrew Malkinson of rape admitted to police over two decades ago that she 'wasn't too sure it was the right man', Manchester Crown Court has heard. This revelation emerged during the trial of Paul Quinn, who is now accused of the 2003 rape after fresh DNA tests allegedly linked him to the victim.
Seventeen Years of Wrongful Imprisonment
Andrew Malkinson, now 60, spent 17 years in prison for a rape he did not commit, in what jurors described as a 'most terrible' miscarriage of justice. He was released in December 2020 after new DNA tests identified saliva from another man on the victim's vest, the jury was informed. The court heard that Malkinson was identified by the woman in a digital ID parade just three days after the alleged attack.
During cross-examination by Quinn's barrister, Lisa Wilding KC, the complainant revealed that she had expressed doubts about her identification to police officers. 'I remember telling one of them that I wasn't too sure it was the right man and they said: "Don't worry, it's just trial nerves, it will all be OK." I remember telling this to Helen, the detective,' the witness stated. She added that she repeated these concerns to her husband, but he insisted they had the correct person.
Trauma and Naivety Influenced Testimony
The woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, explained that the incident occurred in darkness, affecting her ability to provide a clear description. 'I didn't think straight because I was traumatised,' she told the court. 'I did have a face but it wasn't clear because it was dark. I gave them the best possible one I could.' She described herself as 'very naive' at the time, relying on police reassurances and feeling scared during court proceedings.
Wilding questioned whether the witness knowingly provided false identification, to which she responded: 'No, I said I was unsure because I'd not seen the other gentleman [Malkinson] with glasses on so it threw me a bit when I saw him in court. I said I was unsure and he said it was just nerves.' She emphasized that officers reassured her such doubts were normal.
New DNA Evidence Points to Another Suspect
Prosecutor John Price KC acknowledged that the identifications of Malkinson were 'honestly and genuinely made' mistakes. However, he presented scientific evidence suggesting Paul Quinn, 51, from Exeter, is 'more than 1bn times' more likely to be the source of crucial DNA found on the victim than anyone else. Quinn denies two counts of rape, one count of attempt to strangle, and one count of assault intending to cause grievous bodily harm.
The trial continues, highlighting ongoing scrutiny of the original investigation and the profound impact of wrongful convictions on individuals like Malkinson.
