Paul Quinn Faces Trial for 2003 Rape Linked to Notorious Miscarriage of Justice
A man has gone on trial accused of a rape that occurred 23 years ago, a case that resulted in one of Britain's most severe miscarriages of justice. Andrew Malkinson spent over 17 years in prison after being wrongly connected to the crime in Greater Manchester in 2003, as revealed to a jury on Wednesday at Manchester Crown Court.
Prosecution Details the Alleged Assault
John Price KC, prosecuting, informed the court that Malkinson was "the victim of a most terrible miscarriage of justice, one of the worst there has been." The defendant, Paul Quinn, 51, from Exeter, is now on trial for two counts of rape, one count of attempted strangulation, and one count of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. Quinn denies all charges.
Price described how the victim endured sexual violence "of the gravest kind" in the Salford area on July 19, 2003. She was raped twice, strangled until unconscious, and suffered a fractured left cheekbone from a blow to the face. The prosecutor stated that the assailant was a complete stranger to the victim.
Quinn's Alleged Role and Location Knowledge
Quinn, who lived near the attack scene, is accused of following the victim as she approached an embankment near a motorway bridge, where he "suddenly launched his assault." Price argued that this indicates Quinn was not only a local man but also someone familiar with the obscure location, suggesting prior knowledge. The prosecutor claimed Quinn planned to "forcibly take her out of view of the passing road."
During proceedings, Quinn sat in the glass-enclosed dock, making notes as he listened.
How Malkinson Was Wrongfully Implicated
The court heard that Malkinson's name was first raised by two police officers who had spoken to him weeks earlier and believed he matched the victim's description. When officers spoke to Malkinson the day after the attack, they thought he looked "strikingly" similar to the description. However, the victim expected her attacker to have an obvious scratch from the struggle, which Malkinson did not have.
Malkinson, then a security officer at a local shopping centre, had a dispute with his housemates and told them he was going to the Netherlands. Price noted that this "sudden departure" increased detectives' suspicion, leading to Malkinson's arrest in Grimsby.
Witness Identification Errors and New DNA Evidence
Two witnesses, Beverley Craig and Michael Seward, identified Malkinson in digital ID parades after seeing the assailant "sweating profusely" shortly after the attack. Craig initially picked another man but later selected Malkinson after leaving the room, while Seward identified him in a separate parade four months later. The prosecution acknowledged these identifications as "honestly and genuinely made" mistakes.
Price revealed that new tests have shown Quinn's DNA on the victim's clothing and body, stating there is "no alternative plausible explanation" for its presence. The trial continues, with jurors considering the evidence in this complex case.
