Man Accused of 2003 Rape Insists He Could Not Live with Guilt
Paul Quinn, a 51-year-old man on trial for a 2003 rape, has told Manchester Crown Court he "wouldn't be able to live with myself" if he had committed the assault. This case gained notoriety after Andrew Malkinson, 60, had his conviction for the same rape quashed in 2023, having spent 17 years in jail as an innocent man. Fresh DNA analysis linked a new suspect to the crime, leading to Quinn's arrest in December 2022.
DNA Searches Dismissed as Coincidence
Quinn denied that his internet activity was related to the case, despite evidence showing he conducted multiple searches about DNA evidence shortly after police identified a new suspect in July 2022. In August 2022, he looked up queries such as "how long is DNA kept in database," "DNA matches from skin," and "DNA matches from scene." He claimed these searches stemmed from "general inquisitiveness" sparked by crime programmes, not anxiety over the investigation.
Prosecutor John Price KC argued that Quinn's increased visits to the Manchester Evening News website indicated he was monitoring updates on the case, but Quinn refuted this, calling it a "complete coincidence." He also denied feeling anxious, pointing to unrelated searches like "why am I sweating so much all of a sudden" as evidence of his normal behavior.
Adultery and DNA Evidence
Quinn admitted to being unfaithful to his wife "hundreds of times" over 16 years, engaging in unprotected sex with women he met on nights out. He suggested this could explain why his DNA was found on the victim's vest and bra, expressing shame for his actions but noting he felt "bloody lucky" to avoid sexually transmitted infections.
When questioned about potential regret for rape, Quinn reiterated his inability to live with such guilt, contrasting it with his marital infidelity. Price challenged this, asking if he felt relieved to have "got away with it," but Quinn denied any relief or connection to the crime.
Prosecution's Allegations and Denial
Price accused Quinn of attacking the woman, biting her, raping her twice, and hitting her while she was unconscious, asserting that this explained the DNA evidence. Quinn firmly denied these allegations, stating, "No, it's not at all." The trial continues as jurors weigh the evidence in this complex case involving a historic miscarriage of justice.
