Warning to criminals after man convicted of male rape 17 years on

Mark Sleightholm was snared by his DNA after original evidence was re-examined as part of West Yorkshire Police's cold case review.

Leeds Crown Court heard that on April 23, 1993 a 27-year-old man walking to work in the early hours of the morning became aware of footsteps behind him in Amberton Approach, Leeds, and crossed the road because he was concerned.

Without warning in Amberton Road, he was struck on the back of his head, possibly with a piece of wood, and was then forced to the playing fields at the back of Foundry Lane.

Michelle Colborne QC, prosecuting, said the terrified victim begged his attacker not to harm him but was subjected to a sexual ordeal before he was left face down on the ground.

His attacker told him to count to 100 before getting up and he then discovered he had also been robbed of 12. He said he went on "autopilot" to work but once there revealed what had happened.

Swabs and fibre tapings were taken and a police investigation carried out but no one was caught at the time. Subsequently the evidence was re-examined and found to match the DNA of Sleightholm who in 1993 lived in Bellbrooke Grove, Harehills, Leeds.

When arrested he denied he was the attacker and claimed the DNA testing was wrong and it was a case of mistaken identity.

But the jury yesterday found Sleightholm, now 36, of Oxley Street, Richmond Hill, Leeds, guilty of indecent assault, buggery, robbery and common assault. He was remanded in custody to await sentence later this month.

After the conviction Det Chief Insp Paul Fountain, of West Yorkshire Police's Major Investigation Review Team, said "The victim has had to live with this for a very long time."

But he said thanks to advances in science and the close relationship between the police, the Forensic Science Service and the Crown Prosecution Service, they had now been able to identify the person responsible.

"This conviction shows once again that there is no hiding place for criminals. Just because you are not arrested at the time doesn't mean you have escaped. My message is clear, there is no time limit on justice."