Andrew Malkinson has called the 24-year prison sentence handed down to Paul Quinn, the man responsible for the rape he was wrongly convicted of, an “insult.” Quinn, 52, was found guilty of attacking a woman in Little Hulton, Salford, back in 2003 and could potentially be eligible for parole after serving just 14 years. Malkinson, who suffered 17 years behind bars for a crime he did not commit, expressed his anger, stating that Quinn, a “violent, depraved individual,” received a lighter sentence than the life term he was handed.
During the trial at Manchester Crown Court, it was revealed that Quinn’s DNA was discovered on the victim’s clothing and that he had even researched how long the police retained evidence samples. Malkinson, who was wrongfully imprisoned in one of the most significant miscarriages of justice in British history, said it was “insulting” to see that the rapist would serve less time than he did for being innocent. “I got sentenced to life imprisonment and served more than 17 years… I didn’t know if I would ever be released,” Malkinson said, expressing his hope that Quinn would not be granted parole.
The brutal attack occurred on July 19, 2003, when Quinn, then 29, assaulted a young mother in her 30s as she walked home in the early hours. The victim endured severe physical trauma, including being beaten, bitten, and having her cheekbone fractured, before being strangled and raped. Malkinson, who was working as a security guard at a nearby shopping center at the time, was wrongfully identified as the attacker during a police lineup and found himself in prison in 2004.
Fast-forward to 2020, after numerous failed appeals, Malkinson’s conviction was finally overturned, but not before he spent nearly two decades behind bars. The emotional toll was clear when the victim addressed the court, stating, “For [Quinn], it was one night of his life; for me, it was one night that changed my life.” She lamented the lasting impact of the assault, mentioning the permanent scars both physically and emotionally. “Every day I look at my face and see the disfigurement… It is a permanent reminder of that night,” she said, fighting back tears.
Mr. Justice Robert Bright, who presided over the case, emphasized that the victim’s courage and resilience should be remembered, not Quinn’s actions. He noted the “excruciating” experience the victim must have faced in returning to court, underscoring her remarkable strength. The judge condemned Quinn, pointing out that he had previously enjoyed his freedom while an innocent man suffered unjustly due to his actions.
Interestingly, the court learned that Quinn was already a convicted sex offender at the time of the 2003 attack. Having been cautioned for indecent assault at just 12 years old and later convicted of sexual offenses in 1992, his DNA was collected by police a decade later, which ultimately linked him to the rape case. The six-week trial revealed that he had stalked his victim, dragging her from the street and down a motorway embankment before the horrific attack.
In a statement following the sentencing, Greater Manchester Police expressed their commitment to seeking justice for other potential victims of Quinn. Senior Investigating Officer Det Ch Supt Rebecca McKendrick emphasized that while this outcome has come far too late for Malkinson and the victim, they will continue to pursue any further information on Quinn’s possible past crimes.
As the dust settles on this tragic case, a public inquiry is now underway, and the fallout continues. Investigations into the failings that led to Malkinson’s wrongful conviction are ongoing, with several former officers from Greater Manchester Police under scrutiny. The question remains: how many lives will be affected before justice is truly served?
Kaynak: Orijinal Haber