Man Jailed Two Decades After Rapes

A man who subjected his two victims to what was described as terrifying rape ordeals 20 years ago has been jailed.

He was given nine years imprisonment at Southwark Crown Court.

The result follows advances in DNA technology and an investigation by the Metropolitan Police's Sapphire Cold Case Rape Investigation Team into Stephen Johnstone, 50, of Montrose, Scotland - who had earlier pleaded guilty to one case of rape and robbery and one of rape, burglary and actual bodily harm.

Johnstone, a convicted burglar, committed his crimes in 1989, when he lived at various addresses in the capital, and first struck in Bexleyheath, Kent on 13 September when his victim was a 62-year-old widow.

He broke into the pensioner's home while she was asleep and proceeded to rape her before stealing jewellery including a wedding ring which had belonged to her late husband.

He was therefore sentenced to eight years for rape and four years for robbery, to run concurrently.

Just over a month later, on the afternoon of October 23, Johnstone forced his way into the home of a 25-year-old in Barnet, Hertfordshire and beat the woman unconscious before raping her.

He then stole jewellery and cash before leaving the property.

Yesterday he received sentences of nine years for rape, four years for burglary and three years for ABH, to run concurrently with all other charges.

An investigation was launched immediately after the first offence and DNA samples taken from the scenes showed a link between both crimes. However, despite an appeal in the local press and e-fits provided by the victims, no suspect was identified.

The trail went cold until, in 2008, a review of the crimes by the Cold Case Team prompted the Forensic Science Service was able to upgrade the DNA samples taken in 1989.

One from the first crime scene matched a sample on the national DNA database, given by Johnstone when he was arrested for drink driving, while a further one taken after the second offence also showed a match to Johnstone.

On 21 April this year, he was arrested at his home in Montrose, Angus, in Scotland, and taken to London for interview.

Johnstone denied committing the offences initially but was charged and appeared in court the next day.

On 17 August, after an application by the defence to dismiss the case surrounding the second attack was rejected, Johnstone pleaded guilty to two counts of rape, plus one each of robbery, burglary and ABH.

Following Monday's sentencing Detective Constable Jenny Thrower of the Met's Cold Case Team said: "Johnstone's offences were particularly brutal leaving both victims badly traumatised and suffering significant after-effects even until today.

"It is right that he should be held to account for his crimes and that a clear menace to society should be taken from our streets.

"This case shows that the Metropolitan Police will do everything possible to make sure offenders are brought to justice - regardless of when their crimes were committed."

(GK/BMcC)