Rapist Sentenced Four Decades After Underground Car Park Assault
David Hill, a 75-year-old man, has been jailed more than 40 years after he brutally attacked a young woman in an underground car park in Sheffield. The conviction comes following a meticulous cold case review that utilised advanced forensic techniques to finally bring the perpetrator to justice.
Details of the 1985 Attack
The horrific incident occurred in the early hours of September 7, 1985. The victim, who was walking back to her car just after midnight following a night out, was ambushed at knifepoint in the underground car park located in Sheffield, South Yorkshire. She bravely provided police with a detailed statement at the time, and forensic samples were meticulously collected from her clothing.
Despite an immediate police investigation, her attacker vanished without a trace, leaving the case unsolved for decades. Tragically, the woman died just twelve years later, never witnessing the man who raped her being held accountable for his crimes.
Cold Case Breakthrough and Conviction
South Yorkshire Police reopened the investigation in 2019 as part of a dedicated cold case review initiative. Officers re-examined and re-tested evidence from the original investigation, ultimately identifying a definitive DNA profile that matched the attacker.
This crucial forensic breakthrough led directly to the identification and subsequent arrest of David Hill. The evidence presented at Sheffield Crown Court was compelling, resulting in his conviction for the rape committed over four decades ago.
The sentencing marks a significant, albeit delayed, conclusion to a case that haunted investigators for years. It underscores the persistent efforts of law enforcement to solve historical crimes using modern technological advancements, offering a form of posthumous justice for the victim and her family.
