A man has been sentenced to ten years and six months in prison for a rape committed against a woman in Acton in 2004. 

Adrian Satchwell, 60, of Dairy Close, Willesden was sentenced on 29th March 2023 at Isleworth Crown Court after efforts from the Metropolitan Police used DNA evidence to build a case against him. 

Detectives had remained in contact with the victim since the attack in 2004 and continued the investigation which finally culminated in this sentencing 19 years later. 

Detective Sergeant Susan Phillips, who led the investigation, said: "Despite there being a 19-year gap between the rape and today's outcome, the Met has not given up and remained dedicated to putting the man responsible for this horrifying attack behind bars. 

"Satchwell is a violent, predatory rapist and it is a relief to know he will spend many years in prison. What he did to the victim had a profound and lasting impact on her life. He has shown no remorse. 

"I was determined to get justice for the victim who has remained stoic over the past 19 years. Her dedication and commitment to the investigation and throughout the trial has led to today's outcome. She is an incredibly brave woman." 

On Saturday 4th July 2004 at around 1am, Satchwell attacked and raped a woman in Acton Park, he was with another man who remains unidentified. 

The victim reported the incident to police after it happened and they carried out several investigations over a number of years, but they were unable to match the DNA with any on the national police data base. 

Police pursued several avenues of investigation before getting a breakthrough in 2017 after Satchwell was arrested in connection with a sexual assault investigation and his DNA was taken and after it was run through the police data base, officers were informed it matched the 2004 sample. 

The Met's Cold Case team reviewed the investigation and the samples were resubmitted for testing before Satchwell was charged with two counts of rape in August 2021. 

During an impact statement read out in court, the victim said: "Before this happened to me I had a lot of self-confidence. I would go out with friends but since this has happened I have found that I am a lot more restrictive with what I do. At the time I became a lot more withdrawn, not talking to anyone and devoid of emotion. 

"To this day, I find that I am still anxious, I suffer from panic attacks, chest pains and shaking. I walk around in a constant state of hypervigilance. 

"I am so grateful for the tenacity of DS Susan Phillips, to purse and delve in to this case and to not let it go. The other police officers and barrister at court made me feel so comfortable and I am so grateful.  

"There have been so many difficult stages along the way, but they have just made it so much more comfortable. 

"I am relieved to have had what happened to me validated by the jury. That man is disgusting, he disgusts me that he lied and made up different stories along the way to try and avoid what he did to me."