A 54-year-old man who raped a woman in front of her children in their Basford home more than 30 years ago has been jailed for life.
John Bainbridge, of Beckett Street in Burton-on-Trent, was sentenced on Friday (December 9) having pleaded guilty at Nottingham Crown Court.
Bainbridge lived in Bulwell when he broke into the victim’s home in the early hours of May 15 1986.
Armed with a knife, he carried out the attack in front of her two children who were aged five and nine.
He was not caught at the time despite a lengthy investigation but following recent advancements in DNA science, he was arrested and charged in June this year.
It took great courage to agree to proceed with the prosecution
Detective Inspector Justine Wilson, of Notts Police, said: “I would like to offer the utmost praise to the victim and her children.
“For the last 30 years they have continued with their lives in the knowledge that this man had not been held responsible for his actions.
“It took great courage to agree to proceed with the prosecution and to attend court.
“These types of attacks are extremely rare but I hope this sends out the message that we will continue to bring offenders to justice no matter how long ago the crime.”
Bainbridge must serve a minimum of eight years before he will be considered for release and he will be placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register for life.
