Trial Begins for Man Accused of 2003 Rape
A man has appeared in court accused of raping a woman in 2003 in an assault that prosecutors say led to the wrongful conviction of Andrew Malkinson.
Paul Quinn, 51, has pleaded not guilty to charges including rape, strangulation, and inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent. He is currently facing a jury at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court.
Details of the Alleged Attack
According to prosecutors, the victim was stalked towards the M61 motorway in Little Hulton, Salford, before being seized and dragged into secluded bushes. There, she was raped, choked, and beaten unconscious.
Prosecutor Highlights Miscarriage of Justice
John Price KC, prosecuting, informed the jury that Andrew Malkinson had been
"the victim of a most terrible miscarriage of justice, one of the worst there has been".
Price explained it was a
"very sad fact"that descriptions of the alleged attacker
"appeared to tally"with both Quinn and Malkinson, the latter having spent 17 years in prison.
However, DNA evidence recovered from the victim’s clothing and body was linked to Quinn.
Price stated there was
"no plausible explanation"for how Quinn’s DNA was found at the scene other than if he was the attacker.
Incident Timeline and Victim’s Account
The jury heard that at approximately 05:30 BST on 17 July 2003, a man walking his dog discovered an extremely distressed woman staggering along the pavement.
The woman, who is legally entitled to anonymity, reported that she had been raped after being followed, snatched, and dragged down a wooded bank beneath a motorway bridge.
She recounted losing consciousness during the attack and later regaining awareness to realise she had been assaulted.
Price described the victim as having been
"subjected to sexual violence of the gravest kind".
The jury was shown a photograph taken at the time depicting extensive bruising to the victim’s face, including one eye swollen shut and damage to a cheekbone that required surgery.
The victim provided police with a description of the attacker as
"white, olive skinned and tanned", with a "muscular build" and a "shiny, hairless chest", Price said.
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