Detectives reopen 1991 student nurse rape case

Detectives have reopened a cold case investigation into the rape of a student nurse more than 30 years ago.

The Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire (BCH) Major Crime Unit said it happened in nursing accommodation at Watford General Hospital on 16 April 1991.

The unit will use modern scientific techniques after a DNA sample was found at the scene - but a match on the national database was never found.

Det Insp Caeva Taylor, senior investigating officer, said: "We never give up on cases like these, and we're now trying a new approach known as familial searching."

Police said the offender broke into the victim's room by climbing on to a first-floor flat roof and entering through a window.

He then threatened to kill the victim, a woman in her early 30s, before raping her.

The force said he fled in the direction of Cassiobury Drive through undergrowth.

At the time, he was described as a white man, between 5ft 8in and 6ft tall, aged in his late 20s to early 30s - and would be between his mid-50s to mid-60s today.

He was dressed in a long-sleeved grey jumper which had a red and blue diamond pattern on it, police said.

It was reported he was in possession of a knife with a white handle.

Det Insp Taylor added: "Officers from the BCH Major Crime Unit are speaking with people who we know have a similar DNA barcode to the perpetrator.

"It's important to stress that these people are not suspects but it is hoped that they may be able to lead us to the offender - in other words, they may be related to him."

She appealed for anyone who worked or lived in the area around Watford General Hospital, or Cassiobury Drive, in April 1991, to get in touch.

"If you recognise the description of the offender or know any information that may assist with our ongoing investigation, please contact us," she said.

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