Locations
Copland Meadows, Totnes, Devon, TQ9
Description
A man has been convicted of the rape of a woman in Leeds nearly 50 years later thanks to a DNA breakthrough in the investigation.
David Sharp, aged 66, of Copland Meadows, Totnes, Devon, was found guilty today (Friday 13 March) of one count of rape and one count of indecent assault following a trial at Leeds Crown Court. He has been remanded in custody and is due to be sentenced on 23 April
The offences he has been convicted of occurred on 2 October 1977 on the victim’s first night in Leeds after moving to the city for university. She was woken up at around 3am to the sound of a window smashing and a man entering her room. The man, who she described as wearing a ski mask throughout the offence, sexually assaulted and raped her before leaving through the front door of the property.
The offence was reported and investigated at the time, but no suspect was identified.
The Major Investigation Review Team reopened the investigation as part of a cold case review in 2023, which included reviewing any potential forensic opportunities. They were able to get a DNA profile of the offender, but it wasn’t linked to anyone on police databases.
Further enquiries were conducted to see if there were any familial links to any other samples held on police systems. A match came back for a close family member of Sharp. This led to a sample being taken from Sharp which matched the DNA profile.
Officers have since confirmed that Sharp was living in Leeds at the time of the offence.
Detective Sergeant Richard Ord, of the Major Investigation Review Team, said:
“At the heart of this investigation is a woman who has been scarred by the events of 48 years ago for her whole adult life. She has told officers that she remembers the crime committed against her on that day in 1977 like it was yesterday.
“Sharp has consistently denied this offence and taken no responsibility for his actions. The evidence we were able to gather was compelling and has resulted in him being convicted of this offence.
“No prison sentence can make up for the life term of trauma that the victim has been subjected to, but I hope that she feels that some form of justice has now been served.
“This investigation is an example of the work that we do within the Major Investigation Review Team under Op Recall reviewing non-recent rape and serious sexual offence cases. Forensic science is continually developing, and we will utilise any available scientific advancements to solve cases, protect the public and get victims the outcomes they deserve.
“We would encourage anyone to come forward who wishes to report an offence, no matter how long ago, you will be listened to, this case shows time is not a barrier to justice.”