JAMIE SMITH FROM BIGGLESWADE AND HORNSEA SENTENCED FOR DECADES-OLD RAPE IN HORNSEA
| Red Rose Database
Biggleswade Hornsea Rapist
In a case that spanned over three decades, a man identified as Jamie Smith has been convicted and sentenced for the brutal assault and rape of a 16-year-old girl in Hornsea, East Yorkshire, back in 1979. The incident took place on Hornsea Burton Road, where the young victim was walking alone after an evening out. Despite the passage of time, the case was reopened thanks to advancements in forensic science, which ultimately led to Smith's arrest in July of the year the article was published.
Jamie Smith, aged 52 at the time of sentencing, resided on Sun Street in Biggleswade, Bedfordshire. His arrest was initially prompted by investigations into cannabis cultivation, but it was the forensic evidence—specifically DNA analysis—that linked him conclusively to the crime. Smith appeared before Hull Crown Court, where he was sentenced to five and a half years in prison for his involvement in the assault.
According to police reports, Smith's DNA was matched to biological evidence collected from the crime scene. Detective Superintendent Dena Fleming commented on the case, acknowledging the victim's bravery in enduring such a traumatic ordeal. She emphasized that the victim had shown remarkable resilience despite the terrifying experience she endured.
The attack occurred as the girl was walking home alone from the now-demolished Oceans nightclub, located on South Promenade. Smith assaulted her by punching her in the face and then dragging her to a nearby grassy area, where he committed the rape. During the assault, the girl screamed for help and managed to bite her attacker’s finger, drawing blood in the process. The blood type was identified as AB positive, a rare blood type present in only about three percent of the population, and notably, Smith had this blood type tattooed on his arm.
In a poignant victim impact statement read aloud in court, the young woman expressed her ongoing emotional struggles, stating, “I have blocked out what happened and put those memories away. I don’t want to see him again. At least I didn’t die.” Her words reflected the lasting trauma inflicted by the assault.
It was also revealed that Smith had fabricated stories about being in the Territorial Army, which led to the wrongful arrest of an innocent man. This deception added another layer of complexity to the case, highlighting the manipulative tactics Smith employed. The case underscores the importance of forensic advancements in solving cold cases and delivering justice, even after many years have passed.
Jamie Smith, aged 52 at the time of sentencing, resided on Sun Street in Biggleswade, Bedfordshire. His arrest was initially prompted by investigations into cannabis cultivation, but it was the forensic evidence—specifically DNA analysis—that linked him conclusively to the crime. Smith appeared before Hull Crown Court, where he was sentenced to five and a half years in prison for his involvement in the assault.
According to police reports, Smith's DNA was matched to biological evidence collected from the crime scene. Detective Superintendent Dena Fleming commented on the case, acknowledging the victim's bravery in enduring such a traumatic ordeal. She emphasized that the victim had shown remarkable resilience despite the terrifying experience she endured.
The attack occurred as the girl was walking home alone from the now-demolished Oceans nightclub, located on South Promenade. Smith assaulted her by punching her in the face and then dragging her to a nearby grassy area, where he committed the rape. During the assault, the girl screamed for help and managed to bite her attacker’s finger, drawing blood in the process. The blood type was identified as AB positive, a rare blood type present in only about three percent of the population, and notably, Smith had this blood type tattooed on his arm.
In a poignant victim impact statement read aloud in court, the young woman expressed her ongoing emotional struggles, stating, “I have blocked out what happened and put those memories away. I don’t want to see him again. At least I didn’t die.” Her words reflected the lasting trauma inflicted by the assault.
It was also revealed that Smith had fabricated stories about being in the Territorial Army, which led to the wrongful arrest of an innocent man. This deception added another layer of complexity to the case, highlighting the manipulative tactics Smith employed. The case underscores the importance of forensic advancements in solving cold cases and delivering justice, even after many years have passed.