Andy Malkinson always maintained his innocence, insisting that it was a case of mistaken identity.
For a start, he looked nothing like the e-fit image of the suspect drawn up with the help of the victim.
"I lifted my chest to show them. It was considerable growth. I'd never shaved my chest in my life. But they just proceeded, brushed it aside and barrelled on."Image source,"I felt the world... the floor fell from under me. I think I actually wept. I couldn't believe it," he recalls.He told police he would have been asleep at a fellow security guard's flat, where he had been staying as a guest.
His first few months of prison time were "horrendous" - trying to work out who, if anyone, he could trust in a maximum security jail.If Mr Malkinson had admitted rape, he could have joined a rehabilitation programme. An expert psychologist may have ultimately recommended he was safe to be released on licence after his minimum term of seven years.But when he tentatively tried to get staff to hear his case, there was no glimmer in their eyes that they were willing to listen.
He then applied to the Criminal Cases Review Commission - an independent body that examines potential miscarriages of justice. "I asked the CCRC to commission new DNA testing to prove my innocence years ago, but they refused. They wouldn't even bother reviewing the police files." Those indignities would break many a man. But during his 17 years inside - including in three of the toughest, highest security jails in the country - Mr Malkinson mentally escaped with the help of books and the gym.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Matteo Brighi was the highest-rated player on FIFA 2003 and nobody knows whyEA Sports were notorious for being a little overgenerous with their ratings in the early editions of FIFA.
Read more »
Andrew Malkinson: 'The world finally knows the truth'The miscarriage-of-justice victim talks about his first night since his conviction was overturned.
Read more »
Ex-footballer Andy McLaren tells how tough scheme upbringing led to addictionThe former Dundee United and Scotland star has spoken out on a podcast with convicted Scots killer Sean Toal.
Read more »
Andy Murray fires warning to Carlos Alcaraz about Novak Djokovic'I don't think he's going to stop at 24 titles.'
Read more »