Scunthorpe man jailed for 13 years after DNA enquiries into a cold case
In 2014 a woman was held a knife point in her home
A Scunthorpe man who held a woman at knife point in her home in 2014 has been jailed after DNA enquiries into a cold case.
29-year-old Tommy Pearce of Willoughby Road pleaded guilty to wounding and robbery last month.
He appeared at Hull Crown Court yesterday (January 10th) for sentencing, he was jailed for 13 years and was also given a lifetime restraining order.
On Wednesday 24 September 2014, a woman returned to her home in Kirkella at 4.30pm, and found a man in her property waiting in the dark.
Wearing a balaclava, Pearce approached the woman from behind in her dining room and held a knife to her throat, threatened to kill her.
The woman fought back and a struggle ensued, which resulted in her sustaining a serious injury to her hand from the knife and cable ties, and Pearce again threatened her.
The woman told Pearce of some cash, around £1,000, she had within the house and pleaded with him not to hurt her and to take the money and go.
Having found the money, Pearce then fled the property.
Detective Constable Dan Radford said:
“An investigation was immediately launched following the incident, with exhaustive enquiries taking place that included the comprehensive forensic examination including the recovery of DNA from the scene and the cable ties. These were compared with those held police system which at the time provided no matches.
“As Pearce had not had any prior involvement with the police, this resulted in no forensic match being returned at that time which could identify him.
“Although thorough, additional lines of enquiry were carried out, including CCTV, house to house and area searches which led to the recovery of Pearce’s balaclava, jacket and stolen items containing the woman’s blood over a mile away, a suspect was not identified, however the case remained on file pending any new evidence or information that may come to light, and was reopened periodically over the years to review the evidence and seek out new lines of enquires.”
Pearce came to police attention late last year and was brought into custody, where he had his fingerprints and DNA were taken and added to the national database for the first time.
When new samples are added they are run against outstanding unidentified profiles this provided a positive match between Pearce and the evidence obtained in connection with the robbery in 2014.
With a positive DNA match for the incident, enquiries commenced into the cold case again and it was identified that Pearce’s DNA matched that found on the balaclava, jacket and cable ties recovered.
Pearce was arrested and subsequently charged in connection with the robbery and remanded into custody until his court appearance.
Detective Constable Dan Radford said:
“I’d like to commend the bravery of the woman throughout the entirety of this lengthy investigation and court proceedings.
“Pearce attacked an innocent woman in her own home where she should have been able to feel safe, leaving her with physical and emotional injuries which will affect her for the rest of her life.
“I’m pleased he can no longer cause harm within our community. What he did that day is unforgiveable and I hope today’s outcome at court provides him with ample time behind bars to reflect on his actions.
“I’d like to offer some reassurance to members of the community that we always investigate, no matter the time that has passed since a crime has occurred through thorough investigative work and the development of forensic opportunities to seek justice for victims of crime.