DNA evidence with a ‘billion to one’ degree of accuracy links alleged serial sex attacker Joseph McCann to a string of rapes and kidnaps from Watford to Manchester, the Old Bailey heard today.
Used toilet tissue was retrieved from the Watford home of a woman who was allegedly raped in her own bed by McCann on April 21, while elsewhere traces of his saliva were found, including on a Player’s cigarette.
It came as the jury was shown CCTV of McCann allegedly buying condoms at a Shell petrol station with two kidnapped girls, 14, in his car, during what prosecutors said was a day of depravity which saw him assault seven victims.
Alleged serial rapist Joseph McCann was seen on TV buying condoms at a service station on May 5, while he allegedly had two kidnapped 14-year-old girls in his car
McCann, of Harrow, west London, has denied 37 charges related to 11 woman and children, including rape, kidnap and false imprisonment.
But today, the jury was told about DNA evidence linking the 34-year-old defendant to multiple crime scenes in the wake of his arrest.
Used toilet tissue was retrieved from the Watford home of a woman who was allegedly raped in her own bed by McCann on April 21.
Prosecutor Daniel Fugallo told jurors that DNA on the tissue was ‘at least one billion times more likely’ to have come from McCann than an unrelated person.
McCann, 34, allegedly attacked the teenagers in Congleton, Cheshire
McCann’s DNA was also identified on swabs taken from a woman who was allegedly snatched in Walthamstow, east London, and repeatedly raped on April 25.
Crime scene examiners went to the home in Greater Manchester where the defendant allegedly tied up a mother and abused her two children on May 5.
A Player’s cigarette butt on the floor of the master bedroom was found to have McCann’s DNA on it.
His saliva was also identified on the door of a Fiat car belonging to a 71-year-old woman who was allegedly abducted outside a Morrisons supermarket, the court heard.
A white vest top and jogging bottoms worn by McCann’s next alleged victim – a 13-year-old girl – were also forensically linked to the defendant, according to agreed facts read in court.
Jurors were told that it was accepted by the defence that McCann was the man encountered by all the alleged victims.
McCann is seen here getting out of his car at the Shell garage to buy the pack of Durex condoms
McCann was eventually arrested by police in a dramatic police chase after he allegedly abducted two 14-year-old girls.
Yesterday, the Old Bailey heard how McCann allegedly stole a Fiat car belonging to a 71-year-old victim and used it to snatch the girls in Greater Manchester on May 5.
Jurors heard how McCann threatened to ‘chop them up’ with a machete if they did not get into his car.
McCann is accused of 37 charges including the rape of a child under 13, kidnap, and sexual assault concerning 11 alleged victims
McCann was then caught on CCTV buying petrol and a pack of Durex condoms at a Shell garage while the ‘terrified’ girls waited in the car.
A petrol attendant who served him, said in a statement: ‘He seemed angry, nervous and in a rush.’
Soon after, McCann was spotted by a police patrol on the look out for a Fiat involved in a reported car-jacking.
Pc Michael Jennings saw two girls in the back and said one appeared ‘terrified’ while the other raised a hand to attract attention, the Old Bailey heard.
When the officer gave chase, the Fiat went the wrong way on a roundabout and collided with a bronze Mercedes, the court heard.
Despite heavy damaged to the car, it carried on, reaching speeds of up to 60mph in the 40mph zone, jurors heard.
The police car pursued with sirens blaring but appeared to lose the Fiat on a housing estate.
Officers were heard in dash cam footage calling out to members of the public in the street: ‘Which way, which way has he gone?’
Soon after, McCann was spotted by a police patrol on the look out for a Fiat involved in a reported car-jacking
McCann then abandoned the car, leaving the two girls by the road, the court heard.
He was next picked up on CCTV running past a man cleaning a driveway and dashing through his garden.
McCann was later seen riding a bicycle, having swapped his white T-shirt for a red top and matching bandana.
The defendant then got a taxi from a restaurant in Stoke which was stopped by police.
At 8.40pm, McCann was seen running through a field, having fled from the taxi when challenged by an officer.
He climbed up a tree before he was finally arrested, the court has heard.
McCann, of Harrow, west London, is accused of attacking 11 women and children over three days in the spring.
He denies all the charges and the trial continues.