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Man denies 2003 rape that led to another man’s wrongful conviction

Paul Quinn denies a 2003 rape that led to Andrew Malkinson spending 17 years in jail after fresh DNA linked a new suspect, as prosecutors point to DNA evidence and online searches.

Mar 27th 2026 · United Kingdom

Insights

  • Paul Quinn, 51, denies raping a woman in 2003 and is on trial at Manchester crown court.
  • Andrew Malkinson had his 2003 conviction quashed in 2023 after fresh DNA analysis linked a new suspect and he spent 17 years in prison.
  • Police identified a new suspect in July 2022 and Quinn was arrested in December 2022 after he had given a DNA sample in 2012.
  • Prosecutors point to Quinn’s online searches and a rise in visits to the Manchester Evening News as evidence he checked for case updates, which he says was coincidental.
  • Quinn admits hundreds of unprotected extramarital encounters and says this could explain his DNA on the victim’s vest and bra.
  • Quinn told jurors he would not be able to live with himself if he had committed the rape and denies the prosecution account; the trial continues.