In charge of reviewing the Dally case was Detective Chief Inspector Mike Carter.

He said: "For over 13 years Vincent Dally has got away with this crime."

Despite the best efforts of the investigation team in 1995 he was not arrested, but using advances in science he has now been brought to justice.

DCI Carter of Avon and Somerset Constabulary's Major Crime Review Team said: "At the time of the original investigation an extract from an exhibit, belonging to the victim, had been prepared and placed onto a microscope slide.

"As an offender was not identified at that time, this slide was retained by the Forensic Science Service.

"In 2008 it was selected as a sample for analysis as part of Operation Advance 3.

"Operation Advance was a national project co-ordinated and funded by the Home Office's Police and Partnerships Standards Unit to apply the latest scientific developments in DNA technology to unsolved rape cases across England and Wales.

"It was examined using the DNA profiling test known as Low Copy Number DNA profiling analysis.

"A DNA profile was obtained, which was then launched on the national DNA database. That profile matched the DNA profile of Vincent Dally – with a match probability in the order of one in 1 billion.

"The reinvestigation was a complex one that required a great deal of work. The job for the team was three-fold. Firstly, we had to locate the original paperwork for the investigation; secondly, seek early advice with the Crown Prosecution Service; thirdly, and more importantly, locate the victim and establish her views on the case being reinvestigated.

"From here the team had to track down witnesses who had seen the victim immediately after the attack. When these people were spoken to, it was clear that the brutality of the attack had left a vivid impression on their memory, and they were able to recall events clearly. When the victim was located and spoken to, it was clear the pain and trauma from the attack was still ever-present in her every day life."

Officers got support for the woman from The Bridge, which helps sex assault victims, Victim Support and she was rehoused.

DCI Carter said: "As investigating officers, the most difficult task is always making that initial approach to the victim and potentially raking up acute and hurtful memories which they have done their best to put behind them.

"However, on a positive note we know the support we can get for the victim, both through ourselves and other agencies within the community, is now more extensive than it ever was in the past. We're always grateful to victims, who help us bring offenders to justice and protect the public from further offences."

Vincent Dally is the 48th person to be convicted in the UK under Operation Advance of committing a sexual offence between 1980 and 1998. Karl Barrows of the Home Office said: "Avon and Somerset police have worked very closely with the Home Office, the Forensic Science Service and the Crown Prosecution Service over the last five years to fully exploit cutting- edge forensic technology and deliver justice to victims of the most appalling crimes."