Man who raped Leeds student nearly 50 years ago put victim through 'life term of trauma'

David Sharp, 66, broke into the student accommodation in October 1977 and raped the young victim, a jury has found.

Swab samples were taken in the hours after the assault, but the subsequent police investigation stalled.

Sharp was found guilty today (Friday) of rape and sexual assault after West Yorkshire Police re-opened the unsolved case in 2023 and re-tested swabs taken from the victim hours after the attack using modern forensics technology, which were found to be an exact DNA match to 66-year-old Sharp.

Judge Andrew Stubbs KC, who oversaw the three-day trial, thanked the jury for their service and said that Sharp would now face a “substantial period of imprisonment” when he is brought back to the court on April 23. He will be remanded in custody until then.

The jury was previously told that the victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was due to begin university in October of 1977.

She had been dropped off at the student halls on the night of October 1, having been driven up by her parents from their home in the south of England.

Having gone to bed at 11pm, she was woken abruptly by the sound of her bedroom window being put through at around 3am.

The intruder then climbed through, before raping her, the court heard.

He was disturbed by a noise and fled through the front door as the woman was left in tears.

She raised the alarm with her halls neighbour, and they called the police from a nearby payphone.

Sharp, who was 17-years-old at the time, denied the offences.

It was established that Sharp lived in Leeds at the time and while giving evidence he said he had “one-night stands”, but could not recall meeting the victim.

The victim said the rapist was wearing motorbike-type clothing, and Sharp was known to ride bikes in the 1970s.

He said he was “shocked” and “in disbelief” at being arrested by police at his home at Copland Meadows in Totnes, Devon, almost 50 years later.

‘Life term of trauma’

Following the verdict, Detective Sergeant Richard Ord, of the Major Investigation Review Team, said: “At the heart of this investigation is a woman who has been scarred by the events of 48 years ago for her whole adult life. She has told officers that she remembers the crime committed against her on that day in 1977 like it was yesterday.

“Sharp has consistently denied this offence and taken no responsibility for his actions. The evidence we were able to gather was compelling and has resulted in him being convicted of this offence.

“No prison sentence can make up for the life term of trauma that the victim has been subjected to, but I hope that she feels that some form of justice has now been served.

“This investigation is an example of the work that we do within the Major Investigation Review Team under Op Recall reviewing non-recent rape and serious sexual offence cases. Forensic science is continually developing, and we will utilise any available scientific advancements to solve cases, protect the public and get victims the outcomes they deserve.

“We would encourage anyone to come forward who wishes to report an offence, no matter how long ago, you will be listened to, this case shows time is not a barrier to justice.”