2015: MAN JAILED AFTER BREAKING INTO BROMSGROVE WOMAN'S HOME AND RAPING HER
A RAPIST has been sentenced to 15 years in prison after he raped and robbed a horrified mum in her Bromsgrove home, thanks to forensic advances.The victim, who wishes to remain anonymous, courageously attended Worcester Crown Court and saw the man who raped her in an 'ultimate nightmare' after calling at her home disguised as a workman in July 1991.
David Woodings, of Summerfield Gardens, Evesham, was caught last year when his DNA was double checked.
The 59-year-old pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to rape and robbery.
He sat staring straight ahead in the dock, standing to read a prepared statement that expressed his remorse.
Andrew Wallace, prosecuting, told the court the woman and her husband lived in the rural property with their two young children.
He told the court at around 10am on July 3, while the couple's baby was asleep in a bedroom, there was a loud knock at the door.
She opened it to see a stranger who asked if her husband was in.
When she tried to close the door, Woodings forced his way in then pushed her face down to the floor, securing her hands behind her back with tape.
He then subjected her to a degrading and prolonged sexual assault and rape.
"She lay on the floor and remembers seeing a bug crawling across, thinking it could be the last thing she will see," Mr Wallace told the court.
After committing the offence he stole the victim’s cheque book and cash card, using one of the cheques to make several purchases, which were traced back to Woodings.
She told him her friend was due to visit - though she wasn't expecting anyone - but by chance her friend did arrive and Woodings was disturbed.
After he left the victim freed herself and called the police.
Woodings was given two years jail in 1999 for other sexual offences.
Following advances in DNA technology samples gathered in the original investigation were re-examined, and Wooding’s profile identified.
He claimed he had no recollection of the offence.
Abigail Nixon, defending, said he had prepared a statement which he read, saying he felt "deep remorse" for his actions and was ashamed of the effect the crime had on his victim and her family.
Judge Robert Juckes said: "This case represents the ultimate nightmare for any woman alone in her home.
It should be where she feels safe." He did not accept Woodings had no recollection but said he could have forced himself not to remember.
Woodings was given 15 years for rape and 12 years for robbery to run concurrently - a total of 15 years.
He was ordered to register as a sex offender for life.
— THE victim of a degrading sexual ordeal who saw her attacker brought to justice is encouraging other women to come forward.
David John Woodings, aged 59 of Summerfield Gardens, Evesham, was sentenced to 15 years in prison for the rape, and 12 years in prison for the robbery, to be served concurrently.
Woodings was arrested and charged in November 2014, after West Mercia Police reopened the investigation as part of Operation Scenic - a review of forensic evidence in historic sexual offence investigations.
Following advances in DNA technology samples gathered in the original investigation were re-examined and police discovered an unanswerable match to Woodings.
The victim, who wishes to remain anonymous, gave a statement after the verdict.
"It is difficult to express how I am feeling," she said.
"Not only was I subject to the most degrading crime, but the fact that it happened in my own home with my eight-month-old baby present was horrific and to this day has had a devastating effect on me and my family.
"I had given up hope of this man ever being found so it was a shock when the police knocked on my door last October with the news of the DNA profile.
"I really didn’t want to have to talk in detail and relive that ordeal again after so long, so it was a difficult decision for me to assist the police.
I didn’t think I could.
"However, the excellent, personal, sensitive support I received from the police made it possible.
They were very victim focused and led me through the investigation every step of the way at my own pace, which gave me the strength and confidence to see this through.
"The public should be encouraged to know that these sorts of cases are regularly reviewed and I would like this to serve as an example to any other victims who should take comfort from this conviction and have the courage to come forward and engage with the police." Detective Inspector Adam Hartwright said: "As a result of (the victim's) ability to recall what happened on that day in July 1991, and the application of advanced forensic technology, justice has finally been served.
"This case also serves to highlight that with ever improving investigation processes and advances in forensic technology, it is possible in some cases to identify and bring offenders’ to justice many years after the offences have happened, which is why Warwickshire and West Mercia Police is committed to reviewing such cases." "I’d like to thank everyone who played a part in building this investigation to a successful outcome."
