Man wrongly imprisoned ‘insulted’ by ‘soft’ sentence given to the real rapist

QUINN ‘LET ME ROT WHILST HE ENJOYED HIS FREEDOM’

- By MARK PAGE

AN innocent Grimsby man wrongly imprisoned for 17 years for a crime he did not commit has said he is “insulted” by the “soft” sentence handed to the real rapist.

Andrew Malkinson says he was left to “rot” behind bars by the true perpetrator, father-of-six Paul Quinn, 52, in one of the most shocking miscarriages of justice in British criminal history.

Quinn, who was only linked by DNA to the savage rape decades later, was jailed for 21 years at Manchester Crown Court on Friday. However, he will be eligible to apply for parole after serving 14 years.

Mr Malkinson said: “I am insulted that this violent, depraved individual who was content to let me suffer two decades of vilification and more than 17 years wrongly imprisoned for his crime - has received a softer sentence than was imposed on me, an innocent man.

“I got sentenced to life imprisonment and served more than 17 years inside. Throughout that time I didn’t know if I would ever be released.

“Paul Quinn, who has a track record of violence and sexual offences, and who let me rot whilst he enjoyed his freedom, could now be out after just 14 years, and will certainly be out after 21 years.

“I am also appalled for the victim, who has suffered so gravely and whose real attacker has today gotten off lightly. My thoughts are with her and her loved ones - who I hope today nevertheless brings some peace.”

Quinn was handed a 24-year sentence, comprising 21 years in custody with an extended licence period of three years, meaning he faces a return to prison should he breach the conditions of his release.

He will become eligible for parole after serving two-thirds of his sentence, in 14 years’ time. Quinn showed no reaction as he was finally sentenced 23 years after the attack for which Mr Malkinson was wrongly convicted.