A man from Coventry has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for the rape of a woman more than 35 years ago, following a breakthrough in a cold case investigation.
Michael O’Meara, 58, was jailed this week at Warwick Crown Court after pleading guilty to the attack, which took place in Silver Street, Coventry, in July 1989.
On the night of the offence, the victim was walking in the city centre with friends before looking for a taxi on Silver Street. O’Meara dragged her into a secluded area and raped her at knifepoint.
Despite a thorough investigation at the time, no suspect was identified until a cold case review earlier this year. Advances in forensic technology allowed officers to re-examine evidence collected during the original investigation, which linked O’Meara to the crime.
O’Meara, who has prior convictions for sexual assault dating back to the 1990s, was arrested and charged after a full DNA profile confirmed his involvement. He initially denied the offence during police interviews but pleaded guilty on 7 November.
Detective Constable Ryan Ahern, who led the investigation, commented:
“This was a harrowing and horrific attack which O’Meara truly believed he had gotten away with. But thanks to significant leaps forward in forensic science over the last four decades, we were able to re-examine the evidence and prove his guilt.
“On behalf of the whole team involved in this investigation, we hope the survivor of this attack can find some closure knowing justice has finally been done.”
West Midlands Police reiterated its commitment to investigating historical sexual offences and encouraged survivors to come forward. The force plans to expand its cold case review service in the new year to ensure survivors of such crimes receive justice, no matter how much time has passed.