Historic attempted rape case is re-opened - The Redditch Standard

Historic attempted rape case is re-opened

Redditch Editorial 17th Jul, 2014 Updated: 18th Oct, 2016   0

AN ATTEMPTED rape which happened almost twenty years ago and led to the conviction of an innocent man has been re-opened.

West Mercia Police confirmed it is re-investigating the case where a 22-year-old woman was sexually assaulted on her way home from a nightclub in Redditch in 1996.

Victor Nealon, who lived in the borough, was arrested following the incident and was later convicted after a jury at Hereford Crown Court found him guilty in 1997.

The postman offered to give a DNA sample at the time of the attack and no trace was found on the victim’s clothing.




He was given a life sentence and spent 17 years in prison after an appeal in 1998 was unsuccessful.

The case was eventually reopened and the Criminal Cases Review Commission referred it to the Court of Appeal which revealed another man’s DNA was found on the victim’s clothing.


Mr Nealon was finally freed in December last year and was acquitted of the crime.

Following his release a review of the case was immediately launched by police and investigations are underway.

Det Supt Adrian McGee said: “The case review which we have carried out has highlighted some areas where re-investigation is necessary.

“This includes the forensic results relating to the victim’s clothing which were detailed during the appeal hearing.

“Given the historic nature of this matter further investigation may take a considerable amount of time.

“We are continuing to liaise over this with the victim and we have also informed Mr Nealon and his representatives.”

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