RAPIST FINALLY JAILED 35 YEARS AFTER ATTACKING WOMAN AT KNIFEPOINT IN HER GARAGE
A RAPIST is behind bars after his DNA was finally linked to a knifepoint attack 35 years ago.
Steven Blackburn, now 62, was in the Army when he struck in 1981.
His victim, who like the attacker was then 27, was raped in her Bradford garage after driving home from work.
Sophie Drake, prosecuting, said samples were stored and Blackburn’s DNA matched in a cold case review.
Blackburn, from Oakham, Rutland, was jailed for 11 years, eight months after he pleaded guilty at Leeds crown court.
Judge Neil Clark said: “Science 35 years ago was not advanced as today.
“The police continuing to look through old cases of this type were able to identify you as the perpetrator of this unpleasant, violent, traumatic crime.” The court heard Blackburn had been jailed in 1988 for another rape.
The detective chief-insp Jim Dunkerley said: “Time may pass but our commitment to bring the person responsible never wavered.”
Court Outcome
Conviction and Sentencing Details
Sentenced
Detected legal outcome
ecuting, said samples were stored and Blackburn's DNA matched in a cold case review. Blackburn, from Oakham, Rutland, was jailed for 11 years, eight months after he pleaded guilty at Leeds crown court. Judge Neil Clark said: "Science 35 ...
Prison sentence
11 years
Blackburn, from Oakham, Rutland, was jailed for 11 years, eight months after he pleaded guilty at Leeds crown court
Prison sentence
35 years
Judge Neil Clark said: "Science 35 years ago was not advanced as today. "The police continuing to look through old cases of this type were able to identify you as the perpetrator of this unpleasant, violent, traumatic crime." The court heard Blackburn had been jailed in 1988 for another rape
