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Serial sex attacker caught 20 years on thanks to innovative DNA technique

 

18 July 2006

Familial searching, a pioneering DNA technique from the Forensic Science Service (FSS), hails another success as a serial sex attacker today pleaded guilty to a number of offences, dating back 20 years.

James Desmond Benjamin Lloyd pleaded guilty to six sexual assaults at Sheffield Crown court. The judge ordered another two offences to lie on file.

The offences took place between 1983 and 1986. At the time of the attacks the offender could not be identified. However, advances in DNA allowed scientists to obtain DNA profiles from four of the attacks and a new intelligence tool helped police identify the offender.

All the attacks took place in South Yorkshire on women walking home from pubs and clubs and the majority were committed in the early hours of Saturday morning, between 1am and 3am.

The offender tended to approach the victims from behind, reassuring them that his motive was robbery. But the majority were then restrained and gagged, either with their own clothing or with tights and stockings he brought with him, before being sexually assaulted. In most cases he stole shoes and jewellery from his victims.

As the series of attacks continued, his confidence grew. He became more talkative with his victims but also more violent. The attacks were investigated at the time but the offender was not identified.

The case was selected for re-investigation as part of a cold case review. Advances in DNA meant that old retained evidence could be re-examined and DNA profiles obtained.

In four of the cases DNA profiles were obtained, all of which matched each other. However, there was no match when they were searched against the National DNA Database (NDNAD).

It was then decided to try familial searching, a technique that searches the National DNA Database for similar DNA profiles, which may belong to relatives of the offender. This provides new lines of enquiry for the police to investigate.

The information was passed on to South Yorkshire Police for further investigation and resulted in the arrest of Lloyd.

Following guilty pleas to six of the offences, the judge has deferred sentencing.

Cathy Turner, consultant forensic scientist at the Forensic Science Service said: “The FSS is delighted to have been able to assist South Yorkshire Police with this inquiry. Advances in forensic technology have allowed us to revisit these cases and provide a new investigative avenue. The meticulous scientific work undertaken by the FSS, together with the dogged determination of South Yorkshire Police has finally resulted in justice for the victims.”

Lisa Perrin, intelligence analyst in the case said: “I am thrilled that familial searching has once again proven to be a technique of the utmost value in the investigation and detection of crimes of this serious nature. Since it was first employed in July 2003 it has been responsible for identifying a string of serious offenders who may otherwise not have been brought to justice.”

Richard Pinchin, manager of the FIB, said: “This case demonstrates what can be achieved when advanced scientific techniques, meticulous forensic examination and great investigative police work all come together in the pursuit of criminals even when they offended 20 years ago.”