Last Thursday, 29 July, a Hertfordshire man pleaded guilty to raping a 16-year-old girl in 1981.

At approximately 11pm on Monday, 19 October, 1981, after spending an evening with friends, a 16-year-old girl was making her way home from Kimberworth, Rotherham. The bus service she wanted had been cancelled, so she walked the rest of the way.

As she walked along Canklow Road a young man walked past her and then turned to follow. The man’s change of direction caused the girl to quicken her pace. The man caught up with her and grabbed her from behind, dragging her to some scrubland at the side of the road where he raped the teenager.

After the attack, the distressed girl ran along the road attracting the attention of two men in a passing car. The men stopped and took her home. The two good Samaritans were not identified at the time or since.

The incident was reviewed by the South Yorkshire Police Cold Case Team in 2009 who were able to match Christopher Sykes’ DNA back to the attack in October 1981. At the time he was 17-years-old and lived locally in Canklow.

Detective Sergeant Ian Harding who leads the SYP Cold Case team said: "This is a huge success for the team.

"The victim had mentally prepared herself for this case going to trial and was ready to give her evidence. The change of plea is a great surprise to her. This lady is now spared the ordeal of re-living her nightmare in the witness box and she is relieved to see the incident brought to a conclusion.

"I am aware of the devastating effect the attack has had on this lady. We wish her the very best and hope that Sykes’ conviction helps her to face the future with more confidence.

"This is another great result which brings the total to 10 rapists and one murderer, brought to justice by the Cold Case Team."