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Double rapist who evaded justice for 23 years is caught by his DNA
27 May 2010A rapist who attacked a doctor while her baby lay screaming beside her in 1987 has admitted another rape in the same year after a DNA breakthrough.
Geoffrey Davey, 60, was jailed for six and a half years in 1988 after pleading guilty to knocking the GP's seven-month-old baby from her arms and then beating and raping her.
Davey throttled the 33-year-old doctor and threatened to kill her and her baby before stripping her.
Weeks earlier the bricklayer had raped a lone office worker in east London. He managed to escape detection for this crime for 23 years.
Davey, from Grays, Essex, was arrested in March this year after a cold case review by City of London police. Forensic scientists examined the first victim's clothes and found DNA from her slip which matched Davey. He admitted one charge of rape in July 1987 at Southwark crown court yesterday.
In 1988, a 37-year-old Davey stood trial before Sir James Miskin QC, then the Recorder of London, at the Old Bailey for the attack on the doctor.
Jurors heard how he entered the house in Acton through an open window and attacked the victim as she cradled her child. The doctor's screams were heard by a neighbour and police arrived in time to catch Davey during the attack. The baby was taken to hospital with a suspected fractured skull but had only severe bruising.
Davey admitted the rape and grievous bodily harm of the doctor and inflicting actual bodily harm on the baby.
Remanding him in custody yesterday, Judge Deborah Taylor said: “It appears there was another rape back in 1987.” The judge adjourned sentencing until next month and ordered a pre-sentence report. Outside court Detective Inspector Glyn Whittick said: “It is always pleasing when scientific advances offer us a fresh perspective on a case.
“Once we get that fresh lead there is a tangible determination among the team to see such investigations through to a successful conclusion.”
