Greater Manchester Police have urged any other potential victims of convicted rapist Paul Quinn to contact officers after he was jailed for a brutal attack in Little Hulton that led to one of Britain’s most notorious miscarriages of justice.

Paul Quinn, 52, formerly of Little Hulton and now living in Exeter, was sentenced on Friday (June 5) to an extended 24-year prison term after being convicted of two counts of rape, one count of choking with intent and one count of grievous bodily harm.

His conviction finally brings justice for a woman who was violently attacked and raped while walking home in Little Hulton in July 2003. However, it also closes a chapter in a case that saw innocent man Andrew Malkinson spend 17 years behind bars for a crime he did not commit.

Following Quinn’s sentencing, detectives have appealed for any other victims or witnesses to come forward.

Detective Chief Superintendent Rebecca McKendrick, the senior investigating officer, said: “When Paul Quinn attacked and raped a lone woman late that night in July 2003, he knew what he had done. He knew his crime was horrific and he knew how cowardly he was for watching another man go to prison.

“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. We promise you that we will support you and we will listen to you.”

The victim, whose identity is protected, delivered a powerful statement to the court describing how the attack has affected her for more than two decades.

She said: “After 20 years, I now have justice but that does not change the fact that two lives have been impacted in such a way.

“I am aware that someone has had 17 years robbed as a result of this case and that stays with me.

“As for me, the impact will remain with me for life.”

She told the court she continues to live in fear, describing how the injuries she suffered remain a daily reminder of what happened and how the trauma has affected her family life, holidays and social activities.

The case became a national scandal after Malkinson’s conviction was quashed in 2023. He had been jailed for life in 2004 after being wrongly identified as the attacker and spent 17 years in prison maintaining his innocence. DNA evidence eventually proved he could not have been the rapist.

A breakthrough came in 2022 when advances in forensic testing linked Quinn’s DNA to evidence recovered from the victim. Prosecutors later told Manchester Crown Court that DNA found on the victim’s clothing was a one-in-a-billion match to Quinn. He was unanimously convicted by a jury in April this year before being sentenced on Friday.

The wrongful conviction of Malkinson has prompted a major investigation into how the case was originally handled. An inquiry led by Judge Sarah Munro is examining the roles played by Greater Manchester Police, the Crown Prosecution Service and the Criminal Cases Review Commission. The Independent Office for Police Conduct is also investigating allegations relating to the original police inquiry.

Questions remain over why Quinn, a convicted sex offender who lived locally at the time, was not identified during the original investigation and why opportunities to re-examine forensic evidence were missed. The inquiry is also examining the destruction of evidence during Malkinson’s lengthy fight to clear his name.

GMP said it had apologised both to the survivor of the 2003 attack and to Malkinson, acknowledging the profound harm caused by the failure to bring the real offender to justice sooner.

DCS McKendrick added: “The victim in this case has put her trust in the GMP of today and finally has true justice.

“Today brings to a close the criminal chapter to this case. The right man – this horrific attacker, Paul Quinn – is finally behind bars.”

Anyone with information relating to Paul Quinn or any potential offences can contact GMP on 101 quoting Operation Canopy, report information through GMP’s website, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.