DNA delay in identifying suspect - rape trial told

Chichester Crown Court heard that Mark Richard Campbell (38), first came to police attention in 2002 after he was arrested on suspicion of being a 'peeping tom'.

A witness said that they saw him fondle himself as he watched a woman through a groundfloor bedroom window.

Campbell, of Grenville Gardens, Donnington, Chichester was arrested after a witness took down his car registration details.

He denied the incident and said he had been chasing some children away who had thrown stones at his car and he was released. During his arrest he was asked to provide a swab of DNA as part of Operation Bobcat.

Prosecutor Christine Laing QC told the court that through 'oversight', the sample was stored in appropriate conditions but never sent off for analysis until last year when a review of the case was ordered by Sussex Police's major crime branch.

The court heard that the sample matched DNA found at the scene of two sexual assaults. A further sample obtained from Campbell in 2006 reconfirmed the match.

Miss Laing said: "It is clearly very unfortunate that the sample was not sent off for analysis at the appropriate time, namely 2002. Sussex Police are undertaking an enquiry into that failure and a review of procedures which in time may well lead to a change in practices. The length of the delay however, is irrelevant in terms of the evidential effect of the the match made between the swabs.

Where it does impact however is in the delay in bringing this matter to trial and the effect that has on the recollection of everyone involved. This is particularly so in relation to the defendant who was only asked for the first time about these matters in 2006."

Between 2002 and 2006, Campbell is alleged to have carried out two rapes, two sexual assaults, two burglaries and an attempted indecent assault.

Campbell denies three rapes, five indecent assaults, two false imprisonments, two burglaries, two sex assaults, and one attempted indecent assault.

(The case continues)

Day 1 of the trial click here