Rapist Finally Convicted After Innocent Man Served 17 Years
This is the face of a rapist who believed he had escaped justice for more than two decades. Paul Quinn, 52, has been found unanimously guilty by a jury for a brutal 2003 attack that led to the wrongful imprisonment of an innocent man for seventeen years.
Wrongful Conviction Overturned
Andrew Malkinson was convicted for the horrific rape that occurred in Manchester on July 19, 2003, and served seventeen years in prison before being released in 2023 when he proved his innocence. The original investigation mistakenly targeted Mr. Malkinson, while the true perpetrator remained free.
On Friday, April 17, 2026, after six weeks of evidence presented at Manchester Crown Court, Quinn was convicted of two counts of rape, one count of choking with intent, and one count of grievous bodily harm. The victim was brutally attacked and left for dead during the incident.
DNA Evidence Breaks the Case
A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police stated that the conviction brings closure to an investigation relaunched in 2022 when DNA samples from the original case, which initially yielded no forensic matches, were re-examined and conclusively linked to Quinn.
The victim's description of her attacker—a man with a shiny appearance, hairless chest, and open shirt—was corroborated by eyewitness accounts from 2003. Further evidence obtained during the reinvestigation revealed Quinn's tendency to shave his chest during summer months and his return home shirtless on the night of the attack.
Quinn's Failed Defense
When confronted with DNA evidence found on the victim's vest top, Quinn attempted to explain its presence by claiming he had slept with multiple women each weekend at the time. However, phone records showed his considerable recent interest in the case, particularly during Mr. Malkinson's campaign to prove his innocence.
Assistant Chief Constable Steph Parker apologized sincerely and unreservedly on behalf of Greater Manchester Police to both the victim and Andrew Malkinson, acknowledging the profound miscarriage of justice. She praised the victim's unbreakable strength and Mr. Malkinson's courage throughout the ordeal.
Unprecedented Investigation
Detective Chief Superintendent Rebecca McKendrick highlighted the meticulous work involved in the reinvestigation, which required assessing over 6,000 documents, reviewing 760 exhibits, and obtaining 275 witness statements, including from former officers.
The investigation team worked tirelessly alongside the Crown Prosecution Service to present a compelling case that disproved Quinn's explanations as desperate attempts to evade justice. The victim showed immense bravery in supporting the second investigation, reliving the trauma two decades later to ensure Quinn was held accountable.
Ongoing Inquiries
While Quinn's conviction marks a significant moment, authorities will continue to support the inquiry into Mr. Malkinson's wrongful conviction and the Independent Office for Police Conduct's investigation. Quinn, described as a dangerous man and a risk to women, is due to be sentenced in June.
Detective Chief Superintendent McKendrick emphasized that every contact leaves a trace, reassuring victims that time is no barrier to justice and warning offenders that they will be caught. She encouraged anyone with additional information or concerns related to the case to come forward confidentially.
