Fairground worker jailed for life for rape in Rotherham 25 years ago
14 October 2011, 16:12 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50
A fairground worker from Rotherham who raped a woman 25 years ago's been jailed for life.
A fairground worker from Rotherham who raped a woman 25 years ago's been jailed for life.
Forty-six-year-old Simon Murcott pleaded guilty following an investigation by South Yorkshire Police's 'Cold Case' team.
He struck during the early hours of Friday, 22 November, 1985.
His victim, a 31-year-old woman, had just used a public telephone box on Doncaster Road, Rotherham, when she was confronted by Murcott. He restrained her and threatened to slash her with a razor, though one was never seen.
The woman, who was led away for some distance, appealed to Murcott not to hurt her. But her pleas were ignored and she was eventually taken to a bus shelter on Mowbray Street, where she was brutally attacked and raped.
Police investigated the matter at the time, but no charges were ever brought.
Then, in 2008, detectives from the Cold Case Review Team began to re-examine the crime, along with experts from the Forensic Science Service and the Crown Prosecution Service. DNA evidence was obtained from samples stored since 1985 and Murcott was arrested in Merseyside last October.
At Sheffield Crown Court, he was told he'll serve at least seven years and have to sign the Sex Offenders Register for life. His mental state will also be constantly monitored.
