PAUL DRINKWATER SHOCKING CRIMES IN BERKHAMSTED AND MAIDENHEAD: 29-YEAR SENTENCE REJECTED

In a case that has spanned over three decades, Paul Drinkwater, a man with ties to Berkhamsted and Maidenhead, has been convicted of heinous crimes committed in the 1980s, including multiple rapes, robberies, and indecent assaults involving teenage girls. Despite his initial evasion of justice due to disguises and lack of identification, advances in forensic science ultimately led to his arrest and conviction.

Drinkwater, who resided in Heywood Gardens, Woodlands Park, Maidenhead at the time of his arrest, was sentenced to a total of 29 years in prison for his brutal offenses. His crimes in Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, involved two separate incidents where he targeted young girls walking alone late at night. The first victim, a 15-year-old girl, was followed on November 25, 1984, by a man wearing a balaclava. He grabbed her from behind, dragged her into a side street, and threatened her with a knife, pressing it against her throat. Under duress, she was forced to strip and was then raped by the attacker, who also stole her belongings. The victim recounted her terror, describing the attacker as smelling of alcohol and noting her inability to resist due to the weapon.

Just under three weeks later, on December 15, 1984, two 18-year-old women were approached by a masked man wielding a knife. He threatened them, forced them into a field, and ordered them to strip. The attacker then subjected one of the women to a rape while forcing the other to perform oral sex on her friend. During the assault, he made disturbing comments about his hatred for certain groups, including lesbians and women he derogatorily referred to as 'slags' and 'tarts.' After the attack, he stole money from the victims and fled, leaving them naked and distressed.

Extensive investigations, including appeals on Crimewatch, were conducted at the time. However, due to the masked nature of the attacker and the victims' inability to identify him, no charges were initially brought. It was not until a cold case review in April 2012, utilizing new DNA analysis techniques, that the evidence was re-examined. Forensic scientists matched DNA samples from the victims to Paul Drinkwater, providing a crucial breakthrough in the case.

Detective Inspector Pushpa Guild, who led the investigation, expressed satisfaction with the outcome, stating, “I am sure that Paul Drinkwater thought he would never face justice and I am pleased that he has been handed a significant sentence to reflect the seriousness of the offences he has committed. I would like to thank the victims of these truly horrendous crimes for their bravery and courage in supporting the prosecution. Not only were they victims of such terrifying attacks decades ago, but they have had to relive what happened to them.”

Prosecutor Adrian Foster highlighted the brutality of the crimes, emphasizing that Drinkwater’s use of disguises and weapons made the attacks particularly terrifying. He explained that the DNA evidence was so compelling that the jury found Drinkwater guilty despite his denials. Foster also noted that the victims’ patience and bravery over the years had been instrumental in securing justice.

In a separate trial in December 2014, Drinkwater was found guilty of the same series of offenses, which included the rape of a 15-year-old girl and two 18-year-old women, as well as multiple robberies. The court heard detailed accounts of the attacks, including the use of a balaclava and a knife, and the victims’ descriptions of their attacker’s behavior and comments. The judge, Marie Catterson, remanded Drinkwater in custody, with sentencing scheduled for January 30.

Throughout the legal proceedings, Drinkwater maintained his innocence, denying all charges related to the attacks in Berkhamsted. His defense argued that there was insufficient evidence to convict him initially, but the forensic evidence ultimately proved decisive.

Detective Inspector Guild praised the perseverance of her team and the victims, stating, “The victims of these truly horrifying attacks have today seen justice. I would like to thank all of them for their bravery and support, which has been vital in securing this conviction. Cases like these, where initial charges are not possible, are never truly closed. We will continue to review cold cases and utilize new forensic techniques to bring offenders to justice.”