DNA rape evidence appeal

THE COURT of Appeal is to hear expert evidence challenging genetic fingerprinting statistics used to help convict two men of a series of student rapes.

Andrew Deen, 26, of Moss Side, Manchester, was jailed for 16 years in 1991 for three rapes solely on the basis that a DNA sample matched semen found on one victim. The chances of someone else matching the read-out were said to be one in three million. However, new evidence suggests the figure is as unreliable as one in 700,000.

Three appeal judges yesterday gave permission for the evidence to be heard in October. Michael Gordon, 29, of Levenshulme, Manchester, serving 12 years for two rapes, is also to appeal.