DNA match 15 years later

A MASKED rapist who targeted a 15-year-old schoolgirl was tracked down by detectives 15 years later, prosecutors have told a court.

The alleged attack in a woodland in Essex on 11 December 1997 was reported to police by the girl immediately, jurors at Chelmsford Crown Court heard.

But – despite a major investigation and a Crimewatch broadcast – police failed to find the suspect until a DNA match was discovered 15 years later.

The link was revealed when airport worker Jon Molt’s father provided a DNA sample to police and they found a “familial match” with samples taken at the time. Molt, 34, from Rushes Mead, Harlow, was arrested. He denies one count of rape. The trial continues.