Northolt rapist jailed for six years

NORTHOLT RAPIST JAILED FOR SIX YEARS

A rapist has been sentenced to six years in prison after being identified through advances in forensic technology.

Wayne Kirby, 37, from Dabbs Hill, Northolt, was arrested in October 2007 following DNA analysis linked to a 14-year-old assault.

Kirby pleaded guilty to the rape on October 31 at Southwark Crown Court and was subsequently sentenced to six years.

Additionally, he will be required to sign the Sex Offenders Register for life.

The attack occurred on May 18, 1993, when Kirby climbed through a window of his victim's ground-floor hostel room in Dove House Court, Kittiwake Road, Northolt.

The woman, who was caring for her sick baby, had left the window open just before midnight.

She awoke to find someone in her room, and Kirby then attacked and raped her while her six-month-old baby slept nearby.

Police had initially arrested four suspects at the time, but their DNA profiles did not match any found on the National DNA Database, leading to their release.

Detective Lana Kettel led the investigation and expressed hope that this case would encourage other victims to come forward, reassuring the community that police actively pursue longstanding cases.

The case was re-opened after the establishment of the Sapphire Cold Case Investigation Team in 2002, dedicated to solving unsolved rape cases in London.