Rapist jailed 'eight years later'

John White had convictions for rape in 1989, 1991 and 1993

A rapist who remained undetected for eight years because police lost a fax has been jailed for life.

John White, 44, of Crowthorne, Berkshire, will serve at least five years after being convicted of the 1991 rape and indecent assault of a woman.

Forensic tests identified White in 1998 but laboratory technicians sent a fax to an officer no longer working on the case, Bristol Crown Court was told.

Police in Gloucestershire, reopening the case, found the fax in 2006.

Acting Det Supt Neil Kelly said the communication blunder would not have led to a conviction in 1998 because the technology could not positively identify him.

He was identified after police matched evidence from the scene with his DNA.

We're pleased with the sentence the judge has passed as it reflects the gravity of the offence Det Supt Neil Kelly

They were at the time examining cold cases under "Operation Advance" - a nationwide initiative aimed at solving historic sex crimes using DNA.

White was arrested at the high security hospital where he was being held on February 20 last year and charged.

"We're pleased with the sentence the judge has passed as it reflects the gravity of the offence," acting Det Supt Kelly said.

He said that White had three convictions for rape which were committed in London in 1989, 1991 and 1993.

"Significantly, the offence in 1991 was 17 days after the one he was convicted of today," he said.

Life changing

White dragged the woman, who was 30 at the time, to a waste ground and subjected her to a string of sexual assaults.

Now 47 years old, the woman said she feared she was going to die when she was set upon after leaving an off-licence in the city.

She was in court as Judge Jamie Tabor told White: "Your actions have affected her life for the worse.

"It's no exaggeration to say her life will never be the same again.

"You had the opportunity to confess to this matter then. You didn't do so."