MICHAEL TOMLINSON SENTENCED FOR 1978 CLEETHORPES RAPE CASE

In a significant development in the pursuit of justice for past crimes, Michael Tomlinson, a man from Cleethorpes, has been sentenced to prison for a sexual assault that occurred over three decades ago. The incident took place in 1978, when a 17-year-old girl was attacked in the seaside town of Cleethorpes, North East Lincolnshire.

On August 3, 1978, the young victim had just left a nightclub in Humberston and was walking back towards Cleethorpes. It was during this walk that she was violently assaulted by Tomlinson, who was 21 years old at the time. According to reports, Tomlinson forcibly pushed the girl to the ground, covered her face with a coat to prevent her from calling for help, and subsequently raped her. The attack left a lasting impact on the victim, whose ordeal remained unresolved for over 30 years.

Fast forward to recent years, authorities reopened the case as part of an ongoing initiative to review cold cases involving historical sexual offenses. The breakthrough came through the use of modern forensic technology. Humberside Police, working under Operation Fox, collaborated with the Forensic Science Service to analyze evidence collected from the crime scene in 1978. This evidence included biological material that, at the time, could not be fully profiled due to technological limitations.

The police's efforts paid off when DNA profiling linked the evidence to Michael Tomlinson. His DNA profile was stored on the national database, which had been updated after he was cautioned for a minor assault in 2004. This connection ultimately led to his arrest in May of the year the case was reopened. Tomlinson admitted to the crime, and his guilty plea was entered following his arrest.

Judge Simon Jack presided over the case at Grimsby Crown Court. He sentenced Tomlinson to three years in prison, with the understanding that he would serve 18 months before being released on license. The judge emphasized the gravity of the offense, stating, "This was a very serious crime with far-reaching consequences for the victim." Additionally, Tomlinson will be registered on the sex offenders register for life, ensuring ongoing monitoring and restrictions.

Det Ch Insp Steve Hibbet expressed satisfaction with the outcome, highlighting the importance of justice and the police's commitment to resolving cold cases. He stated, "To proceed to charge and conviction is very satisfying. First of all to assist the victim. Second of all to prove to the public that we don’t forget these cases." The case underscores the advancements in forensic science and the dedication of law enforcement agencies to bringing long-standing offenders to justice, even after many years have passed.