Life sentence for 1999 rape bid

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A man has been jailed for life for attempting to rape a woman at her home in the Vale of Glamorgan 10 years ago.

Leighton Morgan, 44, from Briton Ferry, was convicted after a routine DNA sample taken from him after a recent arrest linked him to the woman's home.

Morgan had admitted indecent assault and theft but was convicted of attempted rape at Cardiff Crown Court.

He had a history of violence and harassment against women and police called him a "dangerous offender".

Judge Roderick Evans said there was no way of knowing how long Morgan would remain a danger to women but would have to serve a minimum term of four-and-a-half years before being eligible for parole.

At his trial, the jury heard the 42-year-old victim had been out drinking and had gone to bed in the early hours in June 1999 at her home in Barry.

Roger Griffiths, prosecuting, said: "Having gone to sleep in bed she was awoken, not sure of the time, to find this defendant, Leighton Morgan, on top of her," said the barrister.

It has been very traumatic for the victim to have to relive 10 years later something which she had put behind her Det Insp Huw Thomas

Mr Griffiths said her initial reaction was to think her boyfriend, who was away on business, had come home.

"As soon as she touched the person's head above her she realised it was not her boyfriend but it was an intruder who had entered her house."

Giving evidence from behind a screen, the victim said she could not remember what happened next but recalled hearing a door slamming.

Footprints were found in the woman's garden and leading to her daughter's room but despite appeals, the culprit was not found.

Officers working on a review of cold case murders and rapes - Operation Moscow - arrested Morgan in March this year, who admitted indecent assault after being told his DNA had been found on the victim's underwear.

Detective Inspector Huw Thomas of Barry CID said: "We are very pleased with this sentence which reflects the seriousness of Morgan's actions as well as the concerns of the public.

"It has been very traumatic for the victim to have to relive 10 years later something which she had put behind her.

"She was very relieved with the verdict that has been returned by the jury."

He added: "We are pleased with the verdict. It represents continuing success from the cold case reviews that South Wales Police are pioneering nationally.

"Our major crime unit has led the way nationally in reviewing undetected serious crime, utilising advances in scientific and DNA investigative techniques as part of Operation Moscow."

"Morgan is a dangerous offender. This offence category is thankfully uncommon. The circumstances in this case were extremely unusual and thankfully this type of crime is very rare."

Det Insp Thomas urged anyone else who may have been a victim of Morgan to come forward and contact detectives.

"South Wales Police would like to reassure the public that we never give up on undetected serious crime and continue to strive to keep the communities safe."