ERNEST WALLACE FROM NEWCASTLE SENTENCED TO 15 YEARS FOR COLD CASE RAPE CRIMES IN NEWCASTLE

In a significant development in the pursuit of justice for long-unsolved sexual offenses, Ernest John Wallace, a 60-year-old man from Newcastle, has been sentenced to a total of 15 years in prison for two separate rape incidents that occurred over two decades ago. The sentencing took place at Newcastle Crown Court on a recent Tuesday, following Wallace's admission of guilt in both cases.

One of the most harrowing cases involved an 11-year-old girl who was attacked in 1981. At the time, she was waiting for a bus to return home after spending a Sunday afternoon visiting her grandfather. Wallace's assault on her was particularly brutal; he grabbed her from behind, forcibly dragged her into a nearby park, and subjected her to a violent rape. The victim, in her attempt to cope with the excruciating pain, bit her own arm. She has carried the trauma of that day with her ever since, and although her identity remains protected, she expressed her feelings about the ordeal, stating, “I hate this guy for what he put me through. For the past 23 years he’s led a normal life but thanks to Operation Phoenix everyone now knows what an animal he is.”

Wallace’s arrest was a result of renewed investigative efforts by Northumbria Police’s Operation Phoenix, a specialized unit that employs DNA profiling to solve sexual assault cases from the 1970s and 1980s. The evidence collected from the scene of the 1981 attack was revisited and reanalyzed, ultimately leading to Wallace’s identification as the perpetrator. His DNA profile was matched to evidence from the crime scene, providing crucial proof of his involvement.

Further investigations by the Operation Phoenix team uncovered additional evidence linking Wallace to a separate assault in 1977. This earlier case involved a 19-year-old woman who was raped at the nurses’ home at the Newcastle Royal Victoria Infirmary. As a result of this discovery, authorities prepared a prosecution case against Wallace for this second assault as well.

Wallace was subsequently charged and brought before the court, where he admitted to the crimes. His sentencing reflected the severity of his offenses: he was sentenced to 20 years in total, with 15 years to be served in prison and an additional five years on extended licence. Furthermore, he was ordered to be registered on the Sex Offenders Register for life, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his activities. This case underscores the importance of advancements in forensic science and the relentless efforts of law enforcement agencies to bring justice to victims of historic sexual crimes, even decades after the offenses occurred.