David Hill 75

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Today (Thursday 12 February), following an extensive South Yorkshire Police ‘cold case’ investigation, a jury has unanimously found David Hill guilty of the rape of a woman from over 40 years ago.

On Saturday 7 September 1985, at just past midnight, a young woman walking back to her car after a night out was held at knifepoint and raped in an underground car park in Sheffield.

Despite a thorough investigation being launched - which included a detailed statement from the victim, as well forensic samples from the victim's clothing - the offender was never traced. Sadly, the victim died 12 years later without ever seeing the man who attacked her brought to justice.

In 2018, our Major Incident Review Team (MIRT) began reviewing the case. The MIRT reviews South Yorkshire’s most serious cold cases, as well as more recent incidents such as murders.

As part of this review, evidence gathered during the original investigation was re-tested and due to the advance of forensic techniques the DNA of the offender was identified. However, no matches were found on the national database.

Then in 2021, during one of the regular reviews of the case, we re-tested the DNA and matched it to Hill.

The 75-year-old's DNA had been added to the national database after he was arrested for a separate public order offence. Hill was subsequently arrested on suspicion of rape, but he denied the offence, saying he had no memory of the victim but that he must have had consensual sex with her.

Head of the Major Incident Review Team, Dave Stopford said:

"Due to the victim having sadly died, we, alongside the Crown Prosecution Service, applied to the court to have her original police statement read as ‘hearsay’ evidence, which is when evidence is provided in a manner other than as firsthand, direct testimony.

"This resulted in us carrying out a number of enquiries to prove that the victim's statement could be trusted. I would like to thank the victim's close friend and family member, who provided evidence of her character meaning the court agreed to hear her evidence."

Despite the evidence linking Hill to the rape, he pleaded not guilty. However, following a week-long trial, a jury has today seen through his lies and found Hill, of Broom Valley Road, Rotherham, guilty of rape. He has been remanded into custody and will appear before Sheffield Crown Court on 20 March for sentencing.

Mr Stopford added:

"I want to commend the victim in this case. It is tragic that she is no longer here to witness Hill facing justice, but I hope it brings her loved ones some comfort to know that we never gave up on pursuing him. The victim bravely assisted the police in the initial investigation and died very young, and our thoughts remain with her loved ones.

“I would like to thank the witnesses who helped secure this conviction. The lead investigator at the time, ex-Detective Chief Superintendent Robert Varey, and ex PC Sue Botley, who assisted in the examination of the victim, both provided crucial evidence during the trial.

"I would also like to thank the scientists involved, whose work is invaluable in these historic cases, and without them this perpetrator may never have been brought to justice for this crime.

"This has been a very lengthy and complex investigation. A number of investigating officers on my team have been involved over the years, culminating in Investigating Officer Rachel Morton working many hours to submit the case to the CPS and the courts.”