JAMES DEVLIN OF BEDFORD SENTENCED FOR 1995 SHORTSTOWN RAPE CASE

In a case that has spanned over two decades, James Devlin, a man with a troubling criminal history, was finally brought to justice for the heinous rape of a 15-year-old boy in Shortstown, near Bedford, in October 1995. The incident, which remained unsolved for many years, was reignited by advances in forensic science, specifically DNA technology, leading to Devlin's conviction and subsequent sentencing.

On that fateful day in 1995, the young victim, who was still dressed in his school uniform, was waiting at a bus stop in Shortstown, a small village close to Bedford, for his friend to arrive. As he stood there, James Devlin, then 55 years old, approached him and inquired if he could get assistance in starting his car. The boy, perhaps naive or eager to help, agreed to accompany Devlin a short distance. However, the situation quickly turned sinister when Devlin suddenly pulled the boy into nearby bushes, where he was subjected to a brutal sexual assault.

At the time, the perpetrator was unidentified, and the case went cold. It was only in 2017, during a cold case review, that Bedfordshire police re-examined preserved DNA samples from the original investigation. Thanks to technological advancements, the DNA evidence conclusively linked Devlin to the crime, finally providing the authorities with the proof needed to charge him.

By then, Devlin was already serving a life sentence imposed by Northampton Crown Court in 1996 for the rape of a 14-year-old boy in Northamptonshire. The connection between the two cases was noted by detectives, who recognized similarities in the attacks. During the court proceedings, it was revealed that Devlin had a history of sexual offenses, including assaults and rapes committed in Scotland in the late 1980s, involving two young boys aged 14 and 15. He had been jailed at Glasgow High Court before being released in the early 1990s.

In the recent trial at Luton Crown Court, Judge Barbara Mensah heard how the victim in the 1995 case had been waiting for a different school bus when Devlin approached him. The teenager recounted how Devlin asked for the time and then offered to help with his car, claiming it was parked five minutes away in Cardington. As they walked across a field and along the road, Devlin suddenly grabbed the boy's arm and pulled him into bushes. The victim described how Devlin lightly hit him on the head when he protested, saying, “I don’t want this,” before being forcibly raped. The assault left a lasting impact on the young boy, who later faced teasing and bullying at school, leading to anxiety, depression, and substance abuse.

Following the attack, the victim managed to escape and flagged down a car driven by an elderly couple on Cardington Road. They took him to a friend's house, where his distress was evident. The friend's mother later described finding him crying outside her door, saying, “A man raped him and really hurt him.”

Despite Devlin's vehement denial of the charges, the jury found him guilty in January of this year. During the sentencing hearing, Judge Mensah emphasized the seriousness of his crimes and the danger he posed. She noted that Devlin had previously been convicted and imprisoned for similar offenses in Scotland, with a release in 2004 and a subsequent recall to prison in 2006 for forming an inappropriate relationship with a young adult male.

Devlin's current residence was not disclosed in court, as he was in custody at the time of sentencing. The judge condemned his lack of full cooperation, stating, “The jury saw through your lies,” and highlighted the significant risk he continued to pose to society. The court acknowledged the long and troubling history of Devlin's offenses, which included multiple sexual assaults and rapes, and concluded that his sentence would be lengthy, potentially extending to life imprisonment.

In conclusion, the case underscores the importance of forensic advancements in solving cold cases and delivering justice, even after many years. The victim’s courage in coming forward and the diligent work of law enforcement have finally brought closure to a chapter that began in Bedford nearly 30 years ago.