Jailed rapist to challenge DNA technique

A Telford man convicted of kidnapping a woman from a country park and raping her is to challenge a controversial DNA technique in a test case at London's Court of Appeal.

Lawyers for Neil Garmson, 38, of School Court, Wellington, will argue the DNA technique used to help convict people across the country is so flawed it can render convictions "unsafe".

The technique involves DNA from minute samples of bodily matter left on items, which have merely been touched by a suspect.

Garmson, who was convicted of raping a woman he had kidnapped from Granville Country Park in Donnington, has launched an appeal, which is likely to be heard in October.

He was found guilty of two rapes, three robberies, two sexual assaults, five kidnappings and possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence at Stafford Crown Court in 2007.

He was given a term of indefinite imprisonment for public protection and ordered to serve at least five years behind bars, later increased to nine years at the Court of Appeal.

As well as kidnapping and raping the woman, Garmson was also convicted of kidnapping her partner, and in a separate incident, kidnapping a bar manager and two waitresses at knifepoint.

The debate over DNA evidence will be a central feature in his appeal.

At a directions hearing today, Lord Justice Thomas, sitting with Mr Justice Wilkie and Mr Justice Kitchin, said the case should be heard as soon as possible.