Rapist Convicted After Innocent Man Served 17 Years for His Crime
A rapist who remained free while an innocent man spent 17 years in prison for his brutal attack has finally been found guilty. Paul Quinn, 51, targeted a lone woman walking home in Little Hulton, Salford, in the early hours of July 19, 2003. The victim, a mother in her 30s with young children, was strangled until unconscious, beaten, and raped twice in what prosecutors described as a prolonged and horrific assault before being left for dead.
A Terrible Miscarriage of Justice
Andrew Malkinson was inexplicably identified as the perpetrator by three individuals and was jailed a year later. His case has been labeled one of the worst miscarriages of justice in recent memory. Quinn, who lived less than a mile from the crime scene at the time, was only linked to the attack years later when scientific advances uncovered a billion-to-one DNA match.
Mr. Malkinson launched multiple unsuccessful appeals against his conviction in 2006, 2009, and 2018 before being released in December 2020. His conviction was officially overturned in July 2023. Jurors at Manchester Crown Court heard that the victim had expressed doubts about identifying her attacker before Mr. Malkinson's trial.
Victim's Doubts and Police Reassurance
The woman, who cannot be named, testified: "I was not too sure it was the right man and [the police officer] said, 'Don't worry, it's just trial nerves.' I was very naïve. I was scared coming into the court. I was reassured it was fine, it was the right man." She added, "I said, 'I was not sure it was the right man' and he said it was trial nerves and a lot of people think this and it will be OK."
The DNA evidence that eventually exonerated Mr. Malkinson was first discovered in 2007, but it took 13 more years for him to be freed. News of the new DNA findings emerged in August 2022, prompting Quinn to make hundreds of internet searches about the case.
Quinn's Suspicious Behavior and Defense
Quinn's searches included queries such as "how long is DNA kept in a database" and "why do I keep sweating all the time." He was arrested in December 2022 and, when asked to explain the DNA match on the victim's clothing, claimed that between 1992 and 2010, he went out partying every weekend, took drugs, and had sex with two or three women each night.
If true, this would mean he had casual sex with approximately 2,700 local women over that period. During his police interview, a detective challenged him: "You are trying to explain away the DNA, by making out you have slept with the majority of Manchester, over a 16-year period." Quinn replied, "It could've been from contact with her. I have not beat her, I have not raped her. If I had done it, I would've told you because I would've been ashamed, but I haven't done it."
Prosecution's Case and Quinn's Denial
Prosecutor John Price KC suggested that Quinn's internet searches indicated he knew about Mr. Malkinson's wrongful conviction long before it became public. Mr. Price stated, "It looks, Mr Quinn, as though you knew that might be a wrongful conviction long before anybody else. It seems like that way." Quinn responded, "Yes, but it's not that way, it may seem so."
Mr. Price continued, "Well, I'm going to suggest that the explanation is, in September 2019, there were two people who knew Mr Malkinson's was a wrongful conviction. Him and you. Is that the truth?" Quinn denied this, and when asked if he knew the attacker was himself, he again said no. Quinn is awaiting sentencing.
