MAN SENTENCED FOR 1987 RAPE OF TEENAGER IN SWINDON
Update 01/05/2026: David Mears jailed in 2016 for raping a 16-year-old girl almost 30 years prior died aged 65 in hospital on August 17, 2021 while a prisoner at HMP Channings Wood.The cause of Mears’ death was Covid-19 and diabetic foot.
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In a case that spanned nearly three decades, David John Mears, aged 60, has been convicted and sentenced for a brutal assault that took place in Swindon in 1987.
The incident involved the rape of a 16-year-old girl, an attack that remained unsolved for many years until recent forensic advancements led to a breakthrough in the case.
On August 12th, 1987, the young victim was at her residence in Swindon when the assailant, later identified as Mears, forcibly entered her home.
According to court reports, Mears blindfolded the girl and subjected her to a violent sexual assault.
The trauma of the attack left a lasting impact on the victim, and the case was filed away as a 'cold case' for many years, with no immediate leads to identify the perpetrator.
Fast forward to April of the current year, authorities reopened the investigation, utilizing advanced forensic techniques that had not been available at the time of the original crime.
These new methods uncovered fresh evidence linking Mears to the assault, leading to his arrest.
Mears, who is from Plymouth but was connected to the Swindon case, was taken into custody and subsequently faced charges.
During the legal proceedings, Mears pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including rape, false imprisonment, and indecent assault.
His admission of guilt was confirmed at an earlier hearing, and he was brought before Swindon Crown Court for sentencing.
The court sentenced him to life imprisonment, with a minimum term of eight years before he could be considered for parole.
The case drew significant media attention, highlighting the importance of forensic science in solving cold cases and delivering justice for victims who have endured decades of silence.
The sentencing serves as a stark reminder of the long arm of justice and the relentless pursuit of truth, regardless of how much time has passed since the crime was committed.
