Bristol sex attacker caught . . . 14 years later
This is Vincent Dally, who has admitted attempting to rape a woman in Bristol almost 14 years after the vicious attack took place.
Today, Dally was jailed for 21 months by a judge at Bristol Crown Court.
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Dally was just days from his 16th birthday when he attacked the woman as she walked to post a letter in Hartcliffe one evening.
He dragged her onto a piece of grassland, kicked her and repeatedly punched her before attempting to rape her. Then he fled, leaving his 39-year-old victim badly hurt and severely traumatised.
That was in November 1995.
For almost 14 years he thought he had got away with this dreadful crime.
He lived in the same house in Bowring Close. But throughout that time a solitary slide containing his DNA taken from his victim was stored in a forensic lab.
Police had taken the DNA sample from his victim's clothing after a friend persuaded her to report the attack.
At the time it did not match any DNA profiles held by the police.
But when detectives ran a further routine check last year it led them to Dally.
Now married, he had been arrested for another offence and the DNA sample taken. The chances of it belonging to anyone else but Dally were a billion to one.
He had pleaded guilty to attempted rape when he appeared before Bristol Crown Court three weeks ago.
To bring him to justice detectives had to find the officers who had worked on the case back in 1995, then track down witnesses who had moved – and ask the victim if she wanted them to proceed. She did.
Detective Constable Liz Cousins was the arresting officer.
She said: "When we went and knocked on his door he was stunned.
"He didn't make any protestations of innocence though.
"We took him from his home to a police station and a mouth swab was taken from him.
"There have been advances in DNA science over the years since this attack and new techniques mean that there was only a one in one billion chance that someone else was responsible."
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by DCI Gene Hunt, Hyde, 1973
Saturday, September 05 2009, 11:10AM
“Well, I've no radio experience, (apart from listening to Jimmy Young in the Cortina), but I'll give it a go. Be a chance for me to educate some the clowns like Mudhopper, from the future.”
by Mike Ford, Bristol
Saturday, September 05 2009, 9:01AM
“Chris, I am more than willing, and very able (podcast and radio experience) to do this- if anyone has the contacts, I will work for FREE.”
by Chris, Bristol
Saturday, September 05 2009, 8:48AM
“Further to my post, I reckon that Mike Ford and DCI Gene Hunt should be given their own radio phone-in. The 09.00-10.00 slot on Radio Bristol would be good. (And more entertaining than the Liberal 'Speak Your Weight' machine that currently haunts that slot).”
by Chris, Bristol
Saturday, September 05 2009, 8:44AM
“Who made you 'King of the Message Boards' then mudhopper? I like Mike Ford's and Gene Hunt's posts. They make me, and, judging by other posters reactions, laugh. At least they are amusing, AND make some salient points, not like the usual bunch of chavs, 'right-on' idiots and the self-righteous cycling brigade that regularly bore the a*se off of me, and doubtless others.
if you don't like what they write, then either don't read it, or sod off and start your own message board.”
by DCI Gene Hunt, Hyde, 1973
Saturday, September 05 2009, 8:26AM
“Come on Mudhopper and Lawrence, you KNOW you love to read Mike and the Gene Genie's posts. It gives you some pleasure in your drab, grey, miserable existence, doesn't it? Come on, you KNOW it does. The fact that you are posting from your bedsit at one o'clock on a Saturday morning tells us all we need to know about you, muppet. Some of us were out with good looking birds from the local flicks, dancing to a bit of T-Rex, and I'm sure that Mike Ford was out with a stunner too, not sat in front of their computers with a box of Kleenex, ranting at someone whom you secretly admire, but are embarrassed to show it!
Anyway, do not attempt to converse with me again, no matter how good it is for your ego to converse with a legend. You're barred.
Savvy?”
by Mike Ford, Bristol
Saturday, September 05 2009, 7:44AM
“I admit I am no angel, but does that make it right to hound me off of here because you don't like my opinion? It's not the people who disagree with me I have a problem with, it's the people who pop on, say "OMG you ruined the boards" report me, and then leave.
I did NOTHING wrong yesterday apart from get into a slanging match. I don't see anyone else getting chastised (apart from Darren once).
I solely have take the blame for some reason.”
by spike1988, bristol
Saturday, September 05 2009, 1:52AM
“i am really shocked at what vince did but we all make mistakes wen wer young some much worse than others he should of handed hiself in years ago but didnt but he has bin caught nw and is being punished for it because i no he loves his kids dearly and just so every one knows he is NOT the same person as he was wen he was 15.”
by Lawrence, Nanaimo B/C Canada,,,,
Saturday, September 05 2009, 12:31AM
“Total agree Mudhopper WSM, The BEPost should sort out the [Chaff from the wheat],,,, We enjoy most of the comments from old city of Bristol , but lately , sorry to say its not been worthy reading ,,,, and totally has no point at all re the article in Question, That said supper is boiled and ready to eat,”
by mudhopper, wsm
Saturday, September 05 2009, 12:06AM
“Mike Ford, your comment that people impersonate you only strengthens the argument for IP address inclusion. As for your suggestion that you raise debatable points, surely your comments to Michelle this morning or your ongoing quips about young girls are hardly the subject of current affairs-related discussion. Or are you going to blame that on impersonators? If this is all getting out of hand, why don't you re-invent yourself, get a new name on here and start posting sensible comments?
And Gene Hunt, don't flatter yourself with thinking that I or most others reading this forum waste our time looking in detail at everything you write. It's just a shame with have to wade through your cr@p to get to the interesting comments or POVs.
Darren, think you got called out there. Shame you can't provide their addresses - although it's child's play to generate a false IP. Come on BEP help us out - do some investigative journalim and see if there is any truth to the multiple personalities stories!”
by p, Bristol
Friday, September 04 2009, 11:51PM
“Another scum bag off of our streets.Shame it wasn't longer.”