BEDFORD OFFENDER JAILED FOR HISTORICAL RAPE AT PRIORY COUNTRY PARK
A 53-year-old man named Robert Saint, formerly employed as a ranger at Priory Country Park in Bedford, was convicted of raping a woman two decades ago.He was handed a 16-year prison sentence after being found guilty on multiple counts, including rape, false imprisonment, and indecent assaults.
The crime took place at Bedford’s country park, and police arrested Saint in 2008 after reopening the case by analyzing DNA evidence from 1989.
The female victim, aged 21 at the time, provided substantial cooperation during the renewed investigation.
Saint denied all allegations initially, pleading not guilty.
Despite his conviction, the verdict was overturned on appeal, resulting in a retrial.
Justice Michael Baker QC stated that the passage of time should not serve as a reason to lessen the sentence, adding that those who believe they have evaded justice for years should not benefit from diminished punishment.
He expressed concern over Saint’s continued danger and evil nature.
Saint received a sentence of nine and a half years for charges including rape and indecent assault, with an extra six and a half years added for two historical indecent assault charges and three counts of indecency with a child from 1986.
The prosecution underscored the significance of DNA evidence, which matched Saint’s profile with a one-in-a-billion chance, linking him to the offence.
Court testimony detailed that Saint had pulled the woman from behind before assaulting her.
His legal representative, Phillip King QC, commented on the difficult conditions Saint would face in prison and stated that his wife was also a victim of his misconduct.
It was also revealed that Saint previously served a four-year sentence related to child pornography and voyeurism offenses.
