A British man who was jailed for raping a woman has had his conviction quashed after new DNA evidence emerged which could prove he is innocent.
Scott Harry Richardson, 26, will now have a retrial after he was initially found guilty of raping a 23-year-old American woman in Sydney in 2015.
A new DNA test, which was not available at the time of the initial two-week trial, is able to analyse sexual assault samples and has provided new evidence, the New South Wales Court of Criminal Appeal ruled.
The ramifications of the decision could be huge as the type of DNA test that was used, the “Y-filler plus test” is not currently used in New South Wales, according to Australia’s Daily Telegraph.
The results showed the DNA profiles of two men were present, compared to the original test which showed one.
At the initial trial, Richardson, who pleaded not-guilty, was accused of raping the US backpacker at a house party.
Richardson maintains he jumped on top of a duvet covering the woman, believing it to be his friend underneath, and when he realised his error left immediately.
He is currently serving a minimum jail sentence of two years and three months, and is expected to apply for bail.
