A dangerous sex attacker has finally been brought to justice more than two decades after a brutal assault in Greater Manchester, in a case that also saw an innocent man wrongly jailed for 17 years.

Greater Manchester Police have confirmed that Paul Quinn is responsible for the horrific attack on 19 July 2003, bringing long-awaited closure to the victim and marking the end of a major reinvestigation launched in 2022.

The original investigation led to the wrongful arrest and prosecution of Andrew Malkinson, who was later cleared by the Court of Appeal in 2023 after serving 17 years in prison.

Police said: “We remain deeply sorry to the victim of this heinous attack, and Mr Malkinson, as the victim of a grave miscarriage of justice, for failing to bring the true attacker to justice during our original investigation.”

The reinvestigation was launched after advances in forensic science led to a breakthrough. DNA samples collected in 2003, which had not produced results at the time, were re-examined and matched to Paul Quinn.

Officers said the victim had been “brutally attacked… and left for dead,” but was still able to provide key details about her attacker, including his appearance and what he said during the assault. Those details were later supported by eyewitness accounts and further evidence gathered during the new investigation.

Further testimony described Quinn’s habits, including shaving his chest and excessive sweating, while witnesses also reported that he returned home without a shirt on the night of the attack.

When arrested, Quinn attempted to explain the presence of his DNA by claiming he had slept with “two or three women a weekend” at the time. However, investigators found evidence of his recent interest in the case, particularly during the period when Malkinson was campaigning to prove his innocence.

Assistant Chief Constable Steph Parker said: “Today has come two decades too late for all involved in this horrendous case. To the victim of this heinous crime and to Andrew Malkinson, the victim of this profound miscarriage of justice, I apologise sincerely and unreservedly on behalf of Greater Manchester Police.

“I want to pay tribute to the victim who has shown unbreakable strength from day one to help bring her attacker to justice. And I commend the courage of Mr Malkinson who, despite everything, has supported this case. Our words can never repair the harm caused by this ordeal.

“Paul Quinn is a dangerous man. He is the one responsible for this horrific attack, and he has known it all along for more than 20 years. The harm he has done to the victim and the cowardice of watching the wrong man go to prison for his crime is unforgivable.”

Detective Chief Superintendent Rebecca McKendrick added: “My thoughts today are with the victim of this horrific attack who, despite having to relive the events of that night during a second investigation, has shown great strength in supporting the investigation team’s efforts to bring her attacker to justice. I hope that she can finally move on with her life knowing that her true attacker is now behind bars.

“Throughout this unprecedented investigation, my team and I have known the importance of making sure we get this absolutely right for everyone connected with this case.

“We began with crucial evidence that identified Quinn as a suspect, but it was only through painstaking investigative work involving numerous experts and witnesses that we have been able to satisfy the jury of Quinn’s guilt.”

The scale of the reinvestigation was significant, with detectives reviewing more than 6,000 documents, examining 760 exhibits, and taking 275 witness statements, including from former officers involved in the original case.

Police have also warned that Quinn may have offended on other occasions and are urging anyone with information to come forward.

“This case demonstrates that every contact leaves a trace. Put simply: if you’re an offender, you will be caught, and if you’re a victim, time is no barrier to justice,” McKendrick added.

Greater Manchester Police say they will continue to support ongoing inquiries into Malkinson’s wrongful conviction, alongside an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct.