Innocent man "insulted" at sentence for Salford rapist
Andrew Malkinson served 17 years for a crime he didn't commit; the actual perpetrator could be out in 14
An innocent man wrongly jailed for 17 years said he is “insulted” after what he's called the “soft” sentence of the real rapist.
Andrew Malkinson said he was left to “rot” behind bars by real culprit, father-of-six Paul Quinn, 52, in one of the worst cases of a miscarriage of justice in British criminal history.
Quinn, who was linked by DNA to the brutal rape only decades later, was jailed for 21 years at Manchester Crown Court yesterday (Fri 5 June).
But 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 eligible for parole in 14 years
Quinn was given a 24-year sentence, comprising 21 years custody with an extended licence of three years, which means he could be recalled to prison if he breaks the terms of his release.
He will be eligible for parole after serving two-thirds of his sentence, in 14 years’ time.
Quinn made no reaction as he was finally sentenced 23 years after the sex attack for which Mr Malkinson was wrongly convicted.
Passing sentence on Friday, following a six-week trial at Manchester Crown Court ending in April, Mr Justice Robert Bright told the defendant: “You sat back and enjoyed your liberty at the expense of an innocent man.
“It’s true you never did anything to implicate Mr Malkinson, however, but for you he would never have even been questioned.”
Mr Malkinson, working as a security guard at a local shopping centre, protested his innocence but was wrongly picked out at an identity parade and jailed.
He was a treated as a “handy patsy” for police who just wanted a “quick conviction” he has said.
Quinn, aged 29 at the time of the rape but a sex offender from the age of 12, was arrested almost two decades later after advances in DNA testing meant that in 2022, a billion-to-one match of his DNA profile was made with saliva left on the victim’s vest top.
By then, Mr Malkinson, from Grimsby, North East Lincolnshire, had made multiple failed appeals.
Now aged 60, he was released in 2020 after 17 years in jail, with his conviction finally quashed by the Court of Appeal in 2023.
GMP has since apologised to Mr Malkinson, describing Quinn as a “dangerous man” who went free and watched an innocent man jailed.
GMP think there could be other victims of Quinn
Detectives believe Quinn may be responsible for other offences and are looking at any links he may have to unsolved crimes.
Outside court, Detective Chief Superintendent Rebecca McKendrick said of Quinn: “He knew his crime was horrific and he knew how cowardly he was for watching another man go to prison.
“We know this outcome has come two decades too late for those impacted by this case.
“To commit such a violent attack raises concerns that there may be other victims out there.
“If you believe you have been a victim or have information you have not yet shared with us, please know we want to hear from you.”