A 60-year-old man who kidnapped and sexually assaulted a teenage girl on Weston-super-Mare seafront in 1983 has today (Thursday) been jailed.

David Green escaped justice for 33 years after attacking the 15-year-old, but advances in DNA technology saw him arrested earlier this year following an investigation by the Major Crime Review Team (MCRT).

Green, who now lives in Moseley in Birmingham, pleaded guilty to charges of kidnap, sexual assault and false imprisonment, and was jailed for nine years by a judge at Bristol Crown Court.

Green abducted the girl near Marine Lake on July 17, 1983 and assaulted and threatened her within a nearby storeroom.

Through forensic advancements and a re-investigation of the case, officers with the MCRT were able to obtain a DNA profile from fibre tapings taken from the victim’s clothing at the time, which matched an entry on the National DNA Database.

Green was arrested at his home in February this year and subsequently charged.

Investigating officer Det Con Scott Westbrook-Smith, who was commended by the judge for his hard work and diligence on this case, said: “The victim in this case was abducted while walking near Marine Lake in the early evening.

“Throughout this ordeal she feared for her life, describing in a statement how she was too scared to scream.

“Despite an investigation being carried out at the time, which included the release of an e-fit image, no-one was brought to justice.

“The investigation was reviewed in 2015 and we submitted fibre tapings used to capture evidence on the victim’s clothing at the time for testing using the latest forensic techniques.

“This provided us with a partial DNA profile which was entered onto the National DNA Database and resulted in a match to David John Green.

“Crucially, one aspect of a statement taken from the victim at the time mentioned the offender had a tattoo with the name DAVE on his arm. David Green had this exact tattoo, which he admitted in interview to having had done around the age of 13.

“The courage shown by the victim has been immense and I’m pleased that after all this time we’ve finally been able to convict the man responsible.

“This sends a powerful message to anyone who’s committed a serious sexual offence which to this date remains unsolved – your dark secret will not stay hidden forever and through the advancements in DNA testing it’s only a matter of time before you get a knock at your door which you hoped would never come.”