Man Convicted of 2003 Little Hulton Rape After 22 Years

Paul Quinn, 52, of Exeter, has been convicted of a violent rape in Little Hulton, 22 years after an innocent man was wrongly imprisoned. Quinn was unanimously found guilty on Friday 17 April 2026 at Manchester Crown Court.

He was convicted of two counts of rape, one count of choking with intent, and one count of grievous bodily harm. A jury heard six weeks of evidence.

The original investigation into the summer 2003 attack led to the arrest and prosecution of Andrew Malkinson. Mr Malkinson served 17 years in prison before clearing his name at the Court of Appeal in 2023.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) stated: "We remain deeply sorry to the victim of this heinous attack, and Mr Malkinson, as the victim of a grave miscarriage of justice, for failing to bring the true attacker to justice during our original investigation."

Today’s verdicts conclude an investigation launched in 2022. This followed DNA samples from the original investigation forensically matching Quinn.

The Attack and Evidence

The events of 19 July 2003 saw the victim brutally attacked by Quinn and left for dead. The victim provided detectives with details of her attacker.

She recalled the attacker had a shiny appearance with a hairless chest and his shirt open. This description was supported by 2003 eyewitness accounts.

Evidence from those close to Quinn during the reinvestigation further corroborated this. Witnesses described Quinn’s prevalent sweating and tendency to shave his chest during summer months.

They also noted that on the night of the attack, he returned home without his shirt.

In 2022, a full DNA profile matching Quinn was located on the vest top the victim had been wearing. Quinn, then of Exeter but living in Little Hulton at the time, was arrested and interviewed.

Quinn claimed to have slept with two or three women a weekend to explain his DNA presence. He also claimed little knowledge of the incident.

GMP enquiries into Quinn’s phone history showed considerable recent interest in the case. This was during the time Mr Malkinson campaigned to prove his innocence.

The investigation team worked tirelessly with the Crown Prosecution Service. They presented a clear and compelling case to the jury.

GMP investigators commended the victim’s courage to support the GMP of today. She relived the trauma during a second investigation, two decades later.

Detectives assessed over 6000 documents and reviewed 760 exhibits. They obtained 275 witness statements, including from former officers.

Police Statements

Assistant Chief Constable Steph Parker said: "Today has come two decades too late for all involved in this horrendous case. To the victim of this heinous crime and to Andrew Malkinson, the victim of this profound miscarriage of justice, I apologise sincerely and unreservedly on behalf of Greater Manchester Police."

Assistant Chief Constable Parker added: "I want to pay tribute to the victim who has shown unbreakable strength from day one to help bring her attacker to justice. And I commend the courage of Mr Malkinson who, despite everything, has supported this case. Our words can never repair the harm caused by this ordeal."

She continued: "Paul Quinn is a dangerous man. He is the one responsible for this horrific attack, and he has known it all along for more than 20 years. The harm he has done to the victim and the cowardice of watching the wrong man go to prison for his crime is unforgivable."

Assistant Chief Constable Parker also stated: "The officers and staff working on this reinvestigation have put everything into bringing the true attacker to book. I want to thank the whole team for their unwavering commitment to getting long-awaited justice for the victim."

She concluded: "However, while this is a significant moment for all concerned, I know today’s outcome only ends the criminal chapter in this case. We will continue to support the ongoing inquiry into Mr Malkinson’s wrongful conviction, and the Independent Office for Police Conduct’s investigation, to get much needed answers for all concerned."

Detective Chief Superintendent Rebecca McKendrick, senior investigating officer, said: "My thoughts today are with the victim of this horrific attack who, despite having to relive the events of that night during a second investigation, has shown great strength in supporting the investigation team’s efforts to bring her attacker to justice. I hope that she can finally move on with her life knowing that her true attacker is now behind bars."

Detective Chief Superintendent McKendrick added: "Throughout this unprecedented investigation, my team and I have known the importance of making sure we get this absolutely right for everyone connected with this case."

She continued: "We began with crucial evidence that identified Quinn as a suspect, but it was only through painstaking investigative work involving numerous experts and witnesses that we have been able to satisfy the jury of Quinn’s guilt."

Detective Chief Superintendent McKendrick also stated: "Paul Quinn is a very dangerous man who has clearly been a risk to women. We are alive to the possibility he may have offended on more than this one occasion, and so I encourage anyone with information or concerns relating to the details of this case to know they can approach us in confidence."

She concluded: "This case demonstrates that every contact leaves a trace. Put simply: if you’re an offender, you will be caught, and if you’re a victim, time is no barrier to justice."

Contact Information

Anyone with information can call us on 101, or report via our website http://www.gmp.police.uk, quoting Operation Canopy. You can anonymously call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

OFFICIAL SOURCE VERIFICATION: This article is based on an official press release issued by a Police Force. Document: Man convicted of 2003 rape of woman, 20 years after miscarriage of justice Source Link 

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