Menu
03/08/2009
Rapist Finally Jailed For 1998 Attack
A 46-year-old man, who raped a woman more than ten years ago, has been sentenced to seven and half years in jail.
Stephen Leonard, of Easby Road, Middleton was found guilty of the crime at Manchester Crown Court, Crown Square following an investigation by Greater Manchester Police's (GMP) Cold Case Review Unit.
At 9.15pm on Wednesday 7 January 1998, a 41-year-old woman was walking home following a night out in Manchester city centre.
As she walked along Oldham Road, close to the junction with Great Ancoats Street, Leonard approached her from behind. He grabbed her and forced her down a side street before exposing himself to her and raping her, threatening to kill her if she did not do as he said.
Following the incident the woman contacted the police and was taken to St Mary's Sexual Assault Referral Centre where she was forensically examined and swabs were taken.
The swabs were found to have semen on them but at the time this was not enough to get a DNA profile.
In 2007, as part of Operation Advance, GMP's Cold Case Review Unit re-examined the evidence. Technological advances meant it was possible to gather a DNA profile and when it was loaded onto the national DNA database it was found to match Stephen Leonard.
Leonard was arrested at his home on Wednesday 14 November 2007.
Martin Bottomley, Head of GMP's Cold Case Review Unit said: "Stephen Leonard carried out a violent attack on his victim. She then had to live with the uncertainty of not knowing who attacked her or where that person was.
"I hope she can now find some comfort in the fact that he has been traced and held accountable for what he did.
"Advancing technology now means we are able to review evidence from historic cases and work with the forensic scientists to get profiles of the people responsible.
"We will continue to work to solve these historic crimes and bring the people responsible before the courts."
Operation Advance is a project carried out by the Forensic Science Service, sponsored by the Home Office's Police and Partnership Standards Unit (PPSU) and supported by the Association of Chief Police Officers.
The project involves the forensic review of undetected serious sexual assaults and rapes from 1980s and 1990s.
(PR/BMcc)
Stephen Leonard, of Easby Road, Middleton was found guilty of the crime at Manchester Crown Court, Crown Square following an investigation by Greater Manchester Police's (GMP) Cold Case Review Unit.
At 9.15pm on Wednesday 7 January 1998, a 41-year-old woman was walking home following a night out in Manchester city centre.
As she walked along Oldham Road, close to the junction with Great Ancoats Street, Leonard approached her from behind. He grabbed her and forced her down a side street before exposing himself to her and raping her, threatening to kill her if she did not do as he said.
Following the incident the woman contacted the police and was taken to St Mary's Sexual Assault Referral Centre where she was forensically examined and swabs were taken.
The swabs were found to have semen on them but at the time this was not enough to get a DNA profile.
In 2007, as part of Operation Advance, GMP's Cold Case Review Unit re-examined the evidence. Technological advances meant it was possible to gather a DNA profile and when it was loaded onto the national DNA database it was found to match Stephen Leonard.
Leonard was arrested at his home on Wednesday 14 November 2007.
Martin Bottomley, Head of GMP's Cold Case Review Unit said: "Stephen Leonard carried out a violent attack on his victim. She then had to live with the uncertainty of not knowing who attacked her or where that person was.
"I hope she can now find some comfort in the fact that he has been traced and held accountable for what he did.
"Advancing technology now means we are able to review evidence from historic cases and work with the forensic scientists to get profiles of the people responsible.
"We will continue to work to solve these historic crimes and bring the people responsible before the courts."
Operation Advance is a project carried out by the Forensic Science Service, sponsored by the Home Office's Police and Partnership Standards Unit (PPSU) and supported by the Association of Chief Police Officers.
The project involves the forensic review of undetected serious sexual assaults and rapes from 1980s and 1990s.
(PR/BMcc)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
02 March 2007
Union anger at health sector pay rises
Unions have reacted angrily to the government's announcement that pay for nurses and other healthcare professions has been pegged below inflation. Nurses and other health care professionals will get 2.5%, 1.5% in April and 1% in November. General dental practitioners will get 2% but there is nothing on offer for general medical practitioners.
Union anger at health sector pay rises
Unions have reacted angrily to the government's announcement that pay for nurses and other healthcare professions has been pegged below inflation. Nurses and other health care professionals will get 2.5%, 1.5% in April and 1% in November. General dental practitioners will get 2% but there is nothing on offer for general medical practitioners.
10 January 2011
First Chairman Of Highways Agency Board Appointed
Alan Cook has been appointed as the first ever non-executive Chairman of the Highways Agency (HA) board. The new post has been established to ensure greater efficiency at the Agency and to provide independent advice to Transport Secretary, Philip Hammond. Mr Cook has held senior positions in both the private and public sectors.
First Chairman Of Highways Agency Board Appointed
Alan Cook has been appointed as the first ever non-executive Chairman of the Highways Agency (HA) board. The new post has been established to ensure greater efficiency at the Agency and to provide independent advice to Transport Secretary, Philip Hammond. Mr Cook has held senior positions in both the private and public sectors.
20 December 2010
Transition For Universities Set Out
The Government has today published its annual Grant Letter to the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE). The letter from Secretary of State Vince Cable and Universities Minister David Willetts sets out what HEFCE’s priorities should be when allocating higher education budgets to the sector for 2011-12.
Transition For Universities Set Out
The Government has today published its annual Grant Letter to the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE). The letter from Secretary of State Vince Cable and Universities Minister David Willetts sets out what HEFCE’s priorities should be when allocating higher education budgets to the sector for 2011-12.
21 October 2010
'Review Reinforces Commitment', Health Secretary
In line with the government's commitment to protect health spending, overall NHS spending is set to increase by 0.4% in real terms over the course of the Spending Review period. This will include a 1.3% increase in the resource budget, and a 17% decrease in capital spending.
'Review Reinforces Commitment', Health Secretary
In line with the government's commitment to protect health spending, overall NHS spending is set to increase by 0.4% in real terms over the course of the Spending Review period. This will include a 1.3% increase in the resource budget, and a 17% decrease in capital spending.
10 March 2010
Pay Review For Prison Staff
UK prison staff should receive a 1% pay rise, the Prison Service Pay Review Body recommended today. The Body's report makes recommendations on the pay of governing governors and other operational managers, prison officers and related support grades in public sector prisons in England and Wales in 2010.
Pay Review For Prison Staff
UK prison staff should receive a 1% pay rise, the Prison Service Pay Review Body recommended today. The Body's report makes recommendations on the pay of governing governors and other operational managers, prison officers and related support grades in public sector prisons in England and Wales in 2010.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
