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Rapist jailed 'eight years later' Rapist jailed 'eight years later'
(10 minutes later)
A rapist who remained undetected for eight years because police lost a fax has been jailed for life.A rapist who remained undetected for eight years because police lost a fax has been jailed for life.
John White, 43, of Crowthorne, Berks, was sentenced at Bristol Crown Court. He was found guilty of the rape and indecent assault of a woman in 1991. 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.
The court heard he was identified in 1998 after forensic examinations but laboratory technicians sent a fax to an officer no longer working on the case. 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.Police in Gloucestershire, reopening the case, found the fax in 2006.
'Unfortunate' Fax 'unfortunate'
Acting Det Supt Neil Kelly said the communication blunder would not have led to a conviction in 1998.Acting Det Supt Neil Kelly said the communication blunder would not have led to a conviction in 1998.
"At that time the technology was not what it is today and was not capable of identifying him so positively," he said."At that time the technology was not what it is today and was not capable of identifying him so positively," he said.
"There was a notification received which tentatively named him, however, and it was unfortunate this was only communicated through fax.""There was a notification received which tentatively named him, however, and it was unfortunate this was only communicated through fax."
Gloucestershire Constabulary is reviewing its communication procedures in retrospect.Gloucestershire Constabulary is reviewing its communication procedures in retrospect.