Redditch postman's rape attempt case referred to Court of Appeal

A Worcestershire postman's conviction for attempted rape is being referred to the Court of Appeal by the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC).

Redditch postman Victor Nealon was jailed for life after being found guilty at Hereford Crown Court in 1997.

His legal team said scientists had found DNA relating to an unknown male.

The CCRC said it considers "new scientific evidence raises the real possibility that the Court may quash the conviction".

'Fresh investigations'

Nealon appealed against his conviction in January 1998, but the appeal was dismissed, the commission said.

It added that his current application arrived at the CCRC in July 2010.

Solicitor Mark Newby, who represents Nealon, said: "We did some fresh investigations in 2009 and sent them back to the commission in 2010.

"The forensic scientists have found DNA relating to an unknown male, not Victor Nealon.

"We believe there's a reasonable possibility that the Court of Appeal could look into it and quash the conviction."