NORWICH MAN SENTENCED TO 20 YEARS FOR COLD-CASE RAPE OF PREGNANT WOMAN
A 56-year-old man has been sentenced to 20 years in prison after being convicted of raping a pregnant woman in Norwich nearly 18 years ago.Peter John Carroll, of Barnsbury Avenue, Aylesbury in Buckinghamshire, was found guilty of the rape involving a 20-year-old victim who cannot be named for legal reasons.
The attack took place on the evening of Saturday, 20 July 1996, in the White Horse Lane area of Trowse, where Carroll took the woman, whom he had met earlier, to his car and raped her.
Despite the brutality of the assault, Carroll left the unconscious victim and drove away.
She later managed to flag down a passing car and was taken to a police station.
The victim, who was four months pregnant at the time, suffered serious injuries to her head, neck, and body, and underwent forensic examination at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital.
For years, the case remained unsolved until a DNA profile obtained in 2013 matched Carroll’s DNA, leading to his arrest from his home in Buckinghamshire.
During police interviews, Carroll denied responsibility despite the forensic evidence but admitted visiting Norwich in his role as an engineer.
He was subsequently charged with attempted murder and rape, and at Norwich Crown Court, he was sentenced for rape and found guilty of attempted grievous bodily harm with intent, following a jury trial in June.
Detective Inspector Marie James highlighted the importance of forensic evidence in securing convictions no matter how long ago the offence was committed, expressing admiration for the victim’s bravery in court.
The case underscores the passing of time should not prevent justice, and Carroll’s attack on the woman has led to a substantial sentence of imprisonment.
