ROLAND LONG SENTENCED TO 12 YEARS FOR STRANGER RAPE IN CARDIFF AFTER 42 YEARS
An elderly man from Somerset, Roland Long, has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for a stranger rape that occurred over four decades ago.The case was reopened following an investigation by the South Wales Police Review Unit.
Long, aged 67, was arrested at his home in Nailsea on September 15, 2020.
His arrest was triggered by enhanced forensic analysis of evidence from an attack on Elm Street, Cardiff, on August 17, 1980.
The victim, who was 26 at the time, had asked Long for directions after becoming lost while returning to Cardiff after visiting her mother in Gwent.
She reported that she heard footsteps behind her before being pushed to the ground, turned onto her back, and raped by Long.
Detective Inspector Patrick Catto, formerly the Head of the Major Crime Review Unit, explained: "In 1980, a woman who had recently moved to the Cardiff area got off a bus, and while on her way home, Roland Long followed her and violently raped her.
There was an extensive investigation at the time, but a suspect was never identified." He added that South Wales Police consistently pursues serious crime cases and stored evidence for future analysis.
Thanks to advanced DNA technology, Long was finally identified as the perpetrator.
The Joint Scientific Investigation Unit (JSIU) reviewed original case documents and provided expert guidance on how scientific and technological advancements could aid the investigation.
Reassessing items of clothing, forensic scientists found a DNA match with Long, which carried an almost billion-to-one probability of belonging to anyone else.
Detective Superintendent Mathew Lewis, head of the JSIU, stated: "The JSIU works closely with our investigative teams, and with our skilled staff, we aim to deliver justice through science.
In this case, forensic advancements allowed us to bring the perpetrator to justice 42 years after the crime occurred." DI Patrick Catto added: “The sentence given by the judge will hopefully help the victim of this tragic incident, who has endured living with its effects for 42 years.
It’s unjustifiable that Long spent all these years without regard for his victim.
With Long now behind bars, she can begin to rebuild her life, knowing justice has been served.” He praised the officers involved for their professionalism, determination, and resilience in pursuing justice despite the lengthy passage of time.
Finally, the article emphasizes that support services are available for all victims of sexual violence and encourages anyone affected, regardless of when the offence took place, to come forward.
