Rape suspect's DNA internet searches 'a coincidence'

A man accused of a rape for which an innocent man spent 17 years in jail has told a court it was a "complete coincidence" he began internet searches after news of a DNA breakthrough in the case.

Paul Quinn, 51, whose DNA was taken by police in 2012, looked up how long DNA was kept shortly after news broke in 2022 that detectives had found the forensic profile of a previously unknown suspect for the 2003 attack.

Andrew Malkinson was wrongly convicted of the attack in 2004.

Prosecutors told Manchester Crown Court the "real culprit", Quinn, had "feared a knock on the door" as testing advances eventually came back with a billion-to-one match of his DNA profile left on the victim's clothing.

Father-of-six Quinn denies any involvement in the attack on 19 July 2003 in Cleggs Lane, Little Hulton, Salford.

John Price KC, prosecuting, said in August 2022 news broke about the evidence recovered from the vest top of the victim.

Price KC told the jury that, shortly afterwards, Quinn, who by now had moved to Exeter, Devon, had made searches on his iPhone, questioning how long DNA samples were kept by police.

Cross-examining Quinn, who was sitting in the witness box, the prosecutor told the court some searches were done late at night before asking the defendant: "Did it keep you awake? Couldn't you sleep? Were you feeling anxious at the time? Were you worried?"

"No," the defendant replied.

Price said: "And you were frightened if they had that DNA on the database still, it would come up with a match for yours - which is what happened?"

"No," replied Quinn again, who said his internet searching was because he was "inquisitive" after his DNA had been taken by police and that he had an interest in true crime TV programmes.

Price KC continued: "So, is it then, a coincidence, you did this so shortly after the existence of DNA in the Malkinson case, became public?"

"Complete coincidence," Quinn replied.

"The truth, isn't it Mr Quinn," the prosecutor continued, "by the late summer and autumn of 2022, you feared the police would be knocking on your door?"

"Not at all," Quinn replied, "That didn't interest me."

Price KC said the evidence showed that, from time to time, Quinn had looked up developments in the case on the internet.

Malkinson had made multiple appeals for authorities to review his case before his final attempt led to his appeal against his conviction being granted by the Court of Appeal.

Now aged 60, and originally from Grimsby, Lincolnshire, he was released from jail in 2020.

Price, concluding his cross-examination, said: "Then Mr Quinn, there came the day I suggest, when you learned of the new DNA evidence and you started to sweat?"

"No, I have always been a hot-blooded person," the defendant said.

Price KC added: "It's you who did it. And that's why your DNA is on her vest top, part of which was bitten by you."

"Not at all," Quinn replied.

Quinn denies two counts of rape, two alternative counts of indecent assault, grievous bodily harm and attempting to choke or strangle someone to render them unconscious.

The trial continues.

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