63-Year-Old Serial Burglar Finally Caught for 1980 Rape Cold Case
Kenneth Wells, 63, from Salisbury, has pleaded guilty to rape, burglary, and false imprisonment – four decades after his horrifying attack.
Chilling Crime Reopened and Solved with DNA
Wells was arrested in June after Wiltshire Police’s Major Crime Investigation Team cracked a cold case dating back to November 6, 1980. Violet Brown, aged 52 at the time, was woken by Wells breaking into her Collingbourne Ducis home. He raped her before locking her inside. She had to wait until morning to alert neighbours and police.
Justice Delayed but Not Denied
- Wells was the prime suspect back then but never charged.
- The case file was repeatedly reviewed with no breakthrough – until new DNA technology came into play.
- Police confirmed a direct match between evidence from the scene and Wells in 2021.
- He was arrested at his Salisbury home on June 29 and charged thereafter.
Sadly, Violet Brown passed away in 1996, aged 87, never seeing her attacker brought to justice.
Detective Speaks Out on Impact and Resolve
“Ms Brown lived with the trauma every day. She never felt safe in her own home and eventually moved away. This attack ruined her quality of life,” said Detective Chief Inspector Darren Hannant.
“Though she’s no longer alive, we’ve kept her in our minds throughout this long investigation. We were determined to catch and convict the man responsible.”
Wells remains in custody awaiting sentencing on Friday, October 1.
