Man admits rape in Cheltenham more than 30 years ago
It happened on the Honeybourne Line in April 1990
Last updated 18th Nov 2021
A man from Carlisle has pleaded guilty to raping a woman in Cheltenham more than 30 years ago.
The 18 year old woman had been walking her dog along the Honeybourne Line when she was attacked in April of 1990.
It became a cold-case until Gloucestershire Police restarted investigations back in 2007 and issued appeals for information.
The case then featured on an episode of Crimewatch back in 2008, but no one was charged at the time, despite a large amount of calls following the appeal.
Paul Shakespeare was eventually caught when a DNA sample, taken by police for an unrelated offence earlier this year, matched the profile of the attacker on the national database.
At Gloucester Crown Court today, the 66 year old from Scaleby Close in Cumbria also admitted a further charge of possessing an offensive weapon.
He'll likely be sentenced at Bristol Crown Court on 17th January and has been remanded in custody until then.