DNA Breakthrough Jails Rapist Nearly 20 Years After Attack

A man who believed he had evaded justice for almost two decades has been jailed after a DNA breakthrough linked him to the rape of a teenage girl in Shefford in 2006.

A man has been sentenced to six years in prison after advances in forensic science identified him as the perpetrator of a rape committed nearly 20 years ago.

The attack happened on 7 October 2006 in Shefford, when Kennedy Jimmy, then 25, met the teenage victim and her friend in a supermarket car park. He arrived in a vehicle driven by a friend and, when the others went into the shop, pulled the victim into the back of the car and raped her.

The victim managed to escape and ran to a nearby pub, where her friend contacted police.

Despite an extensive investigation at the time, detectives were unable to identify Jimmy, who was known to the victim only as “Kenny”.

The case was later reviewed under Operation Painter, a specialist re-examination of historic rape and sexual assault investigations by the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit. A fresh forensic analysis produced a DNA match, leading to Jimmy’s arrest in November 2022.

Jimmy, now 44, of Wessex Court, Sunny Bank, Stoke-on-Trent, was convicted of rape following a five-day trial at Luton Crown Court in October last year. He was sentenced on Friday to six years’ imprisonment and made subject to a lifelong restraining order.

Detective Constable Rhian Batterham-Jones said:
“This conviction demonstrates that time is no barrier to justice. Jimmy thought he had escaped accountability, but advances in forensic science and the determination of our team proved otherwise.

“I want to commend the victim for her incredible courage in coming forward and reliving such a traumatic experience two decades later.

“I hope this gives other victims the courage to come forward to report any sexual offences, no matter how long ago the crime took place. You will be believed and supported, and justice can be done.”

Bedfordshire Police continues to prioritise tackling male violence against women and girls and is working with partner organisations to improve women’s safety across the county.

Anyone in immediate danger should always call 999.