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“We had been told countless times they had got the wrong person, but without any evidence what could we do?
“It was general gossip. There was one particular event when we were in a pub for a leaving do, it must have been eight years ago, and a young woman approached me.
“She said, ‘the one that got locked up, we all know it was the wrong fella. Everyone knows who it is’.”
"The police have absolutely nothing to go on, they've had to reopen the case and start again. There's DNA filed away now, so anyone who is named and comes forward can be eliminated very quickly and, potentially, clear their name if they've been under suspicion for years.
"There is someone out there whose DNA is going to match and that's the person the police will be looking for now, so they can give everybody closure on the situation.
She added: “It’s been nearly 40 years. People’s consciences must prick them.
“The person who has done this, if they’re still living, must be having real sleepless nights.”