Child rapist identified by distinctive walk

A violent child rapist was caught after a passing police officer noticed his distinctive walk.

Shane Nash, aged 39, was walking with two friends along Muirfield Road, Top Valley, on 31 January when he was spotted by an officer travelling in a marked patrol car.

Two days earlier he had raped a teenage girl after grabbing her in a dark alleyway near Rise Park and threatening her.

Parts of the attack were captured on CCTV and footage of the attacker was later shared in a high-profile media appeal.

After viewing the footage the previous day, the officer’s eye was immediately drawn to Nash’s distinctive walking style and his high, square shoulders.

Noticing that his clothing was also similar to that of the suspect, she and her colleague immediately turned around and asked Nash to stop.

It soon became clear that he was also wearing the same clothes and distinctive grey trainers he was wearing at the time of the attack,

Further damming evidence was found when officers searched his bag and uncovered a black beanie hat and red sleeping bag referred to by the victim.

Nash, formerly of Boniface Gardens, Bestwood, was arrested on suspicion of rape but strenuously denied the allegations against him – even when confronted with irrefutable DNA evidence linking him to the crime.

He kept up this pretence until his second court appearance in March , when he finally pleaded guilty to one count of rape and one of attempted rape.

Appearing for sentence today he was jailed for life and will serve a minimum of 15 years. He was also added to the sex offenders' register for life.

Detective Inspector Craig Hall, who led the investigation for Nottinghamshire Police, said: “This was a horrific crime that shocked and appalled the local community. The victim in this case was simply walking home as she was grabbed and attacked.

“She is traumatised by what happened and this is likely to have a lasting impact upon her and her family.

"She has shown remarkable courage and dignity throughout the legal process and my thoughts are very much with her today.

“Nash’s behaviour, by contrast, has been appalling throughout. He has shown absolutely no remorse for what he did and continued to deny the offence even when presented with incontrovertible evidence of his guilt.

“He will now spend a very considerable amount of time in jail, thanks in no small part to some excellent police work by the arresting officer and her colleague.

“I would also like to thank the dozens of other officers who worked so tirelessly to bring this truly dangerous individual to justice.”