TONY JASINSKYJ SENTENCED FOR LIFE IN ALDERSHOT AND LEICESTER MURDER OF MARION CROFTS

In a landmark case that spanned over two decades, Tony Jasinskyj, a 45-year-old man originally from Leicester, has been convicted of the brutal murder and rape of 14-year-old Marion Crofts. The tragic incident occurred in Aldershot, Hampshire, and the case was finally resolved after extensive forensic investigation and years of legal proceedings.

Marion Crofts was riding her bicycle on June 6, 1981, when she was unexpectedly pulled from her bike by an assailant. She was on her way to Wavell School in North Camp, Farnborough, from her home in Basingbourne Close, Fleet, Hampshire. The attacker subjected her to a violent assault, which culminated in her being beaten to death. The crime shocked the local community and remained unsolved for many years, leaving her family and friends in profound grief.

Jasinskyj, who was working in barracks less than a mile and a half from the scene of the crime, was initially not linked to the murder. However, advances in forensic science, particularly DNA analysis, eventually led to his arrest. The breakthrough came when a sample of DNA was collected from Jasinskyj during an unrelated minor arrest last year. This sample was then compared against the national DNA database, where a match was found with evidence collected from the scene of Marion Crofts' murder.

Prosecutors presented evidence indicating that the probability of an unrelated individual having a matching DNA profile was one in a billion, strengthening the case against Jasinskyj. The DNA evidence was crucial in establishing his guilt, especially since he had denied all charges during the trial at Winchester Crown Court.

During the 21-day trial, the jury, composed of seven men and five women, heard extensive evidence from witnesses and forensic experts. After deliberating for two days, they returned a verdict of guilty on both counts—murder and rape. Jasinskyj was sentenced on a Friday by Judge Michael Brodrick, who emphasized the profound impact of his actions. The judge stated, "The anguish that your action must have caused her parents, her family and friends, probably cannot be imagined."

Jasinskyj received a life sentence for murder, with an additional ten years for the rape, to run concurrently. His imprisonment means he will not be eligible for parole until at least 2020, ensuring he remains behind bars for the foreseeable future. The case remains a stark reminder of the importance of forensic science in solving cold cases and delivering justice for victims and their families.