ANDREW WELDON FROM HILLSBOROUGH AND SHEFFIELD CAUGHT AFTER 16 YEARS USING DNA TECHNOLOGY

In a significant breakthrough for criminal justice, Andrew Weldon, a man from Hillsborough, Sheffield, who had managed to evade law enforcement for over a decade and a half, has finally been apprehended and sentenced for a heinous sexual assault that took place in Graves Park, Sheffield. This case highlights the remarkable advancements in forensic science, particularly DNA technology, which played a crucial role in bringing Weldon to justice after so many years.

Back in March 1990, the community of Sheffield was shaken to its core when news broke of a brutal attack on a 15-year-old girl in Graves Park. The young girl was forcibly taken into the bushes by a masked assailant and subjected to two disturbing sexual assaults that lasted more than 20 minutes. The incident caused widespread fear among parents and residents, leading to children being kept indoors for days and the once lively park becoming eerily deserted, earning it the nickname “the loneliest place in the world” during that period.

Despite an extensive police investigation and a large-scale appeal for information, the perpetrator remained at large, and no immediate arrests were made. The case went cold, leaving the community and authorities frustrated and anxious. However, the relentless efforts of law enforcement did not cease. It was only in October of the previous year that a breakthrough occurred, thanks to the application of cutting-edge DNA analysis techniques. A dedicated cold case review team from South Yorkshire Police revisited the evidence, which had been meticulously stored over the years. They managed to match DNA samples collected from the crime scene to a suspect who had previously been in police records.

The suspect, Andrew Weldon, was a 29-year-old self-employed painter residing on Balmain Road, Hillsborough. His DNA had been taken in 2000 after he was involved in an unrelated incident where he stabbed his former girlfriend’s lover. Weldon claimed to have no memory of the Graves Park attack, which added a layer of complexity to the case. Nevertheless, the forensic evidence proved irrefutable, leading to his arrest and subsequent trial.

On the day of sentencing, Weldon appeared before Sheffield Crown Court, where the victim, now a mother of one, was present, visibly distressed and crying. The court heard detailed testimony from prosecutor Corrine Wilson, who described Weldon’s approach to the girl as drunken and predatory. Weldon had forcibly taken her to a secluded area, where he raped and physically assaulted her. Wilson recounted Weldon’s threatening words, saying, “He told the girl ‘scream and I will kill you’ and repeatedly slapped her across the face. She was hysterical and was crying.” The young girl, who was studying for her GCSEs at the time, has since suffered from severe trauma, including flashbacks and a lasting fear of men.

Judge Michael Murphy QC sentenced Weldon to 11 years in prison, emphasizing the severity of the crime and its impact on the victim and the wider community. During the sentencing, the judge stated, “Offences like this not only blight the life of the unfortunate victim and her family and friends but also terrify the general public who thought there was a rapist on the loose. You would have evaded justice if it wasn’t for the vigilance of the police and forensic teams.” The judge also expressed skepticism about Weldon’s claim of not remembering the attack, suggesting that his presence in the park was clearly motivated by predatory intent.

Following the sentencing, Detective Sergeant Neil Vaughan of Moss Way CID announced that this case was just the beginning. He revealed that numerous other cold cases involving sexual offenses could now be reopened and prosecuted, thanks to the advancements in DNA technology. Vaughan stated, “We have got quite a lot of cold case reviews ongoing and we hope to have other people in court. The advances in DNA technology have enabled us to do this and Weldon is the first of many we hope to bring charges against.”

As part of his sentence, Weldon will be registered on the Sex Offenders’ Register for life, ensuring ongoing monitoring and restrictions. This case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of forensic science in solving long-standing crimes and delivering justice to victims who have endured years of suffering in silence.