Rape Accuser: 'Not Sure It Was the Right Man'

A woman who alleged rape by Andrew Malkinson admitted to police 22 years ago that she had doubts about his identification. Malkinson served 17 years in prison for a crime he did not commit, a situation described in court as a "most terrible" miscarriage of justice. Currently, Paul Quinn is on trial at Manchester crown court, accused of the 2003 rape. Fresh DNA tests reportedly link Quinn to the victim.

During Malkinson's 2004 trial, the complainant testified that she was "more than 100% sure." However, she later told the court she had expressed uncertainty to police, including a detective named Helen, and to her husband. She recalled being told by an officer that her doubts were merely "trial nerves" and that other evidence would confirm guilt.

Malkinson, now 60, was released in December 2020 after new DNA evidence identified saliva from another man on the victim's vest. The woman had identified Malkinson in a digital lineup three days after the alleged attack. She explained to the jury that it was dark at the time of the incident and she felt traumatized, providing the best description she could.

She emphasized that her initial uncertainty stemmed from not seeing Malkinson wearing glasses in court, which differed from her memory. The prosecution stated that the initial identifications of Malkinson were honest mistakes. Scientists now believe Quinn is over a billion times more likely to be the source of crucial DNA found on the victim than anyone else. Quinn denies multiple charges including rape.