A routine DNA sample trapped a Scottish lorry driver who later confessed to raping a woman more than 20 years ago.
Leslie Marshall, of Stonefield Road, Blantyre, near Glasgow was caught when a sample obtained after his arrest on a separate matter last July matched records held on the national database.
As a result, the 51-year-old yesterday pled guilty at Burnley Crown Court to the attack.
Marshall was one of two men who raped a 22-year-old woman after taking her to a secluded area on the outskirts of Burnley on January 18, 1989.
The woman had been walking home from a friend’s house when she was approached by a man who forced her into a car that was being driven by a second man.
After the attack the victim was left for dead in a country lane, but she was able to raise the alarm after seeing the lights on in a nearby house.
An investigation in 1989 failed to find her attackers after no match was found with the DNA profiles originally secured from the victim by the Forensic Science Service (FSS).
The case was closed, but in 2008 the cold case investigation team revived attempts to find those responsible.
When Marshall was arrested last year by another force on an unconnected matter his DNA profile was taken. It led Lancashire detectives investigating the rape to his front door three months later.
Thanks to the fresh sample, forensic scientists had been able to review the slides from the original investigation and identify a match to the lorry driver.
It is not known why Marshall was arrested last July.
Detective Constable Lisa Baxter, from the Lancashire Constabulary Cold Case Investigation Team, said she hoped the victim could now find peace following his guilty plea.
She said: “I am extremely pleased with today’s result, not only for the investigation team, but, more importantly, for the victim in this case. It has been an extremely traumatic time for her.
However, she was determined her attacker should face justice and was fully supportive of the police investigation.
“We were able to bring Marshall to justice as a result of a DNA match on the National DNA Database.
“The value of being able to take a DNA sample and being able to run it through the database is particularly evident in this case.
“Leslie Marshall is clearly a dangerous individual and the public needs to be protected from him.
“This case should send a clear warning to offenders, despite the passage of time we never give up hope of bringing offenders to justice.
“We constantly review older cases and we will catch up with you and you will be brought before the courts for punishment.”
Sue Cherry, senior forensic scientist at the FSS, said: “The FSS has helped police to secure more than 150 cold case convictions thanks to advances in DNA technology.
“We are delighted we have been able to work with Lancashire Constabulary on this occasion to help ensure justice for the victim.”
Marshall will be sentenced at Burnley Crown Court on August 24.
