Historic Offence Prosecuted by Jayne Beckett Following DNA Breakthrough
Jayne Beckett, instructed by the Crown Prosecution Service, appeared for the prosecution in proceedings that resulted in a guilty verdict, with David Sharp sentenced to six years’ imprisonment and placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life at Leeds Crown Court.
Mr Sharp broke into the victim’s room and raped her. He stood trial for rape and indecent assault committed more than 50 years ago, when he was aged 17.
Advances in forensic technology ultimately led to his conviction, after preserved DNA evidence from the time of the attack was linked to Mr Sharp through a familial match.